Federal authorities are investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets.
The allegations relate to when Beasley was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season. A major sports betting site, which has not been identified, is reported to have noticed suspicious betting activity starting in January 2024.
One particular match has been highlighted between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 31, 2024. Heavy betting activity moved the odds of Beasley recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds from around +120 to around -250. Despite the bets, Beasley finished with six rebounds in the match, making the flurry of bets on the under all lose.
The Pistons stated on Sunday that they are aware of an investigation into Beasley and are deferring further comment to the NBA.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass commented, “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.”
Innocent until proven guilty, says Beasley’s attorney
“An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve 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.”
Haney admitted that he has been in touch with prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York, which is understood to be leading the investigation.
Beasley’s one-year contract with the Pistons came to an end and he is currently an unrestricted free agent. The news could derail contract negotiations for a renewal of his deal in Detroit. The Pistons were reportedly ready to offer the nine-year veteran a 3-year contract worth $42 million.
Beasley featured in all 82 games for Detroit last season, averaging 16.3 points, 5 points higher than his career average of 11.7. He also broke the franchise record for 3-pointers, scoring 319. The season was his best to date for efficiency, netting 41.6% of his 3-point attempts.
Potential penalty for Beasley
Federal charges, including wire fraud and transmitting betting information, could result in Beasley facing up to 20 years in prison, as well as a lifetime ban by the NBA.
Last year, former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was given a lifetime ban by the NBA after a league investigation found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games.
Porter is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to a federal conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors have recommended a prison sentence of between 41 to 51 months, but the judge could give up to 20 years.
Beasley is no stranger to criminal investigations. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of threats of violence and was sentenced to 120 days in jail, which he served after the 2020-21 season in which he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was also suspended for 12 games by the NBA in 2021 as a result of the charges.
He played one more season for the Timberwolves before switching to the Utah Jazz in 2022 and has since played for the Lakers, Bucks, and Pistons for one season each.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.
