NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed Wednesday the league is investigating gambling allegations against former Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley, who’s also caught up in a federal probe.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Silver said. “As I understand it, there’s still a federal investigation that’s ongoing of Malik Beasley as well. We will address whatever is presented to us in his case.”
Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, says his client is “fully cooperating” with the NBA investigation.
The probe centers on allegations of improper betting on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
At least one U.S. sportsbook flagged “unusual heavy betting interest” on Beasley’s personal statistics last season.
In one particularly suspicious case, odds on Beasley grabbing fewer than 2.5 rebounds shifted dramatically before a game, dropping from about +120 to around -250 because of heavy betting on the under. Beasley ended up with six rebounds, meaning all those under bets lost.
Career in Limbo
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported on June 29 that the U.S. District Attorney’s office was investigating Beasley.
The Pistons were ready to offer him a three-year, $42 million deal before the gambling investigation news broke.
Instead of the big payday, Beasley remains unsigned. His previous contract with Detroit was a modest one-year, $6 million deal.
The Pistons still control Beasley’s Non-Bird rights, which means they could offer him up to $7.2 million for next season, but a source close to the team says a reunion is uncertain.
In late August, Haney claimed Beasley was no longer the target of the investigation.
“Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,” 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 The Detroit News later reported that Haney isn’t sure whether Beasley will ultimately face charges.
“That is the frustrating thing,” Haney explained. “You live in a state of purgatory with a cloud hanging over your head for what? Forever? And you’re out of the league and can never play basketball again?”
Still Hoping for NBA Return
Beasley recently hinted on Instagram that his “decision is near” about picking a team in free agency.
He also addressed the gambling investigation in a Snapchat video, showing his determination to return to the court.
“I’ve been grinding my ass off. I’ve got this new chip on my shoulder of, like, ‘F the world,'” Beasley said. “My back against the wall. Nobody believes in me. I will be better than last year.”
“I’m staying humble. I’m still getting my work in. I have to. I gotta be prepared to either come back to the Pistons or…there’s some other teams interested as well.”
Beasley was a key contributor for Detroit last season, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He didn’t miss a single game, appearing in all 82 contests with 18 starts.
The Florida State product averaged 16.3 points per game while shooting a career-best 41.6% from three-point range.
Beasley made 319 three-pointers last season – the most in Pistons franchise history and second in the entire NBA behind only Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.
Now his basketball future hangs in the balance as both the NBA and federal investigations continue.
