Shams says that he allegedly placed these bets during his time with the Bucks
An unexpected development has rocked the landscape of NBA free agency, as Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s office for allegedly gambling on NBA games and making prop bets. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Beasley allegedly placed these wagers during the 2023–24 season while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks:
FROM SHAMS:
Reporting for @SportsCenter — U.S. District Attorney’s office investigating Detroit guard Malik Beasley for allegedly gambling on NBA games, prop bets during the 2023-24 season:
— Shams Charania Tweets (& Other NBA News) (@shamsbot.bsky.social) 2025-06-29T16:29:54.588Z
Beasley’s lawyer, Steve Haney, gave a statement to ESPN on the matter:
“An investigation is not a charge. 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.”
NBA spokesman Mike Bass said that the league is cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.
Shams also reported that Beasley was in serious talks on a three-year, $42 million deal to stay in Detroit, but now those talks (along with talks with other teams) have hit a massive pause due to this legal matter. Beasley remained one of the league’s best shooters this past season, shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc and averaging 16.3 points per game, his highest scoring average since he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This isn’t the first time that Beasley has been under investigation, as in February of 2021, he was sentenced to 120 days in jail after being charged with felony controlled substance/narcotics and felony receiving/concealing stolen property charges. The final charge was just for threats of violence, as the felony drug charges were dropped.