Malik Beasley, a prominent NBA player known for his shooting prowess, is no longer a target in the federal gambling investigation conducted by the Eastern District of New York. This significant development was confirmed by his attorneys, Steve Haney and Mike Schachter, in a statement to ESPN on Friday. The outcome of this investigation could potentially reopen free agency opportunities for Beasley, who has established himself as one of the league's top shooters.
Beasley's legal representatives reported that they engaged in extensive discussions and meetings with officials from the Eastern District of New York regarding the allegations involving Beasley. These allegations were centered around gambling activities related to NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season. According to Haney, months into the investigation, Malik remains uncharged and is not considered a target, emphasizing that “an allegation with no charge, indictment, or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequences this has caused Malik.” Haney further pointed out that the situation contradicts the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence.
The federal investigation had a substantial impact on Beasley's free agency prospects. On June 29, it was reported that Beasley was under investigation, which led to a halt in all of his free agent negotiations just one day before the official start of free agency. At that time, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass stated that the league was cooperating with federal prosecutors. Sources revealed that Beasley and the Detroit Pistons were on the verge of finalizing a significant three-year, $42 million contract before the investigation came to light, causing the franchise to withdraw its offer and prompting other interested teams to pause discussions.
Despite the off-court turmoil, Malik Beasley had an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. He finished second in the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year race, averaging 16.3 points while participating in all 82 games during his first season with the team. Notably, Beasley made a record 319 three-pointers, the highest in Pistons franchise history, and the second-highest in the entire NBA that season, just one shot behind Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.
In addition to his scoring, Beasley ranked second in total points and made three-pointers off the bench, achieving a remarkable 248 catch-and-shoot three-pointers—the most by any player in a season since player tracking began in 2013-14, according to GeniusIQ data.
After signing a one-year contract with the Pistons in the offseason, Beasley now faces potential complications regarding his contract renewal. With Detroit signing Caris LeVert to a full midlevel exception, Beasley's maximum re-signing amount with the Pistons is capped at $7.2 million. Meanwhile, several teams, including the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards, still have the capacity to offer Beasley contracts exceeding this amount. The Brooklyn Nets also hold over $20 million in cap space, making them a potential contender for Beasley's services.
During the 2023-24 season—the period surrounding the allegations—Beasley averaged 11.3 points across 79 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, where he made a career-high 77 starts. Notably, one major U.S. sportsbook observed unusual betting interest on Beasley's performance statistics starting in January 2024, particularly concerning a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, where significant betting action shifted the odds on Beasley’s rebounds.
It is important to note that the league has seen previous incidents related to gambling. For instance, former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned by the NBA for disclosing confidential information to sports bettors. Similarly, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was under federal investigation for unusual betting patterns, although he has not faced any charges or sanctions.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) has reiterated that there is no evidence of a widespread gambling issue within the league beyond Porter's case. An NBPA spokesperson stated that NBA players compete with the utmost integrity and expressed concerns that prop bets have become a troubling source of harassment for players, both online and in person. The association supports the idea of implementing tighter regulations to minimize such abuse.
The resolution of Malik Beasley’s legal concerns could pave the way for renewed interest from NBA teams as free agency approaches. With his impressive track record and shooting capabilities, Beasley remains a valuable asset for any franchise looking to enhance its roster.
