Malik Beasley is facing scrutiny and a stalled contract just as NBA free agency opens, with a federal gambling investigation casting a shadow over his breakout season.
Federal prosecutors are examining whether the 28-year-old Beasley was involved in betting on NBA games and player prop wagers, according to a report published Sunday (June 29) by ESPN. The probe reportedly began after a major U.S. sportsbook flagged “unusual heavy betting interest on Beasley’s statistics” in January 2024, while he was with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, emphasized that no charges have been filed and that the process remains in the early stages.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Haney told ESPN. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.”
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is the subject of a federal gambling probe, sources told @ShamsCharania.
The investigation involves alleged betting activity on NBA games and prop bets. Beasley has not been charged. https://t.co/iMVrCsbYs6
— ESPN (@espn) June 29, 2025
The NBA confirmed its cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” league spokesman Mike Bass said.
Beasley had been in contract negotiations with the Detroit Pistons on a three-year deal worth $42 million, but those talks have been paused in light of the investigation.
The timing is especially critical, as the NBA’s free agency period opens Monday (June 30), and Beasley was expected to be one of the more attractive shooting guards on the market.
The former first-round pick just wrapped up a career-best season with the Pistons, leading the team with 16.3 points per game while shooting 41.6 percent from beyond the arc. His 319 made 3-pointers set a new franchise record. He played in all 82 regular-season games and averaged 14 points in Detroit’s first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.
Beasley’s situation follows the NBA’s lifetime ban of Jontay Porter in 2023 for manipulating his playing time to influence betting outcomes. Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat was also investigated earlier this year for gambling-related concerns, though no charges have been brought against him.