Malik Beasley and Pistons Show Mutual Interest Despite Gambling Investigation Cloud
There’s mutual interest between free agent guard Malik Beasley and the Detroit Pistons, according to Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press.
“It’s definitely a place I want to be,” Beasley said after Detroit’s playoff exit against the Knicks last season. “To be here, my mom’s hometown, I grew up here a lot in the summertime. To be able to perform in front of this city is huge and I’m glad I got a chance to do that.”
The Pistons originally planned to sign Beasley to a three-year, $42 million contract this summer.
But everything changed when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on June 29 that Beasley was caught up in a federal gambling probe. The allegations involved bets placed on his own statistics during the 2023-24 season when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
At least one U.S. sportsbook noticed something fishy – “unusual heavy betting interest” on Beasley’s prop bets.
In one specific case, the odds on Beasley grabbing fewer than 2.5 rebounds shifted dramatically before a game, dropping from about +120 to around -250 because so many people bet the under. Beasley ended up with six rebounds, meaning all those under bets lost.
With the gambling cloud hanging over Beasley, the Pistons pivoted. They used most of their cap space to sign Caris LeVert and trade for Duncan Robinson instead.
The Investigation Status
There’s been some movement in the case. Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told Charania in August that Beasley is no longer the target of the investigation.
“Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target,” Haney said. “An allegation with no charge, indictment, or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence.”
But there’s a catch. While Beasley isn’t the “target” anymore, he’s still a “subject” of the inquiry. That’s legal-speak for “not in the clear yet.”
He’s still waiting for both the federal and NBA investigations to wrap up.
Despite all this drama, Haney confirmed Beasley is looking forward to next season and still wants to reunite with the Pistons.
“I do know that Malik Beasley, if there’s a pathway, would like to look at being considered to play for Detroit again next season,” Haney said. “I’m not his agent, though, so I don’t know if there’s still interest there, I don’t know if there’s still money there, what the mutual level of interest there is in him returning to Detroit. I know that he’s got a lot of love for Detroit and would like to, if possible, look at maybe coming back.”
What’s Next?
The Pistons currently have 13 fully guaranteed contracts, plus Javonte Green’s partially guaranteed minimum deal.
They still hold Beasley’s Non-Bird rights, which means they could offer him a multi-year deal worth up to $7.2 million annually.
Other teams like the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and Knicks had shown interest in Beasley earlier. But the Knicks have already started filling their training camp roster with veterans like Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon, and Garrison Mathews.
Beasley was a standout performer last season, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He appeared in all 82 games for the Pistons, starting 18 of them.
He put up impressive numbers: 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes per game. He shot 43% from the floor and a career-best 41.6% from three-point range.
Perhaps most impressively, Beasley drained 319 three-pointers – the most in a single season in Pistons history and second in the entire NBA behind only Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
