Free-agent guard Malik Beasley and former NBA forward Ed Davis were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on sports gambling charges tied to alleged game manipulation during the 2023/24 season, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.
Prosecutors contend the two ex-teammates, who played together on the 2020/21 Minnesota Timberwolves, coordinated with three other individuals—among them former NBA agent Paolo Zamorano—to influence Beasley’s on-court statistics in four Milwaukee Bucks games last year. The indictment cites charges of sports betting, money laundering and wire fraud.
The alleged plan
Investigators say Beasley, facing more than $1 million in gambling debt, joined the scheme as a way to offset losses. Text messages quoted in the filing show Davis telling Beasley, “Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting… Everything else they got the edge,” roughly one month before the first targeted contest.
The matches named in the indictment are:
- Jan. 26, 2024 – Bucks vs. Cavaliers
- Feb. 27, 2024 – Bucks vs. Hornets
- Mar. 10, 2024 – Bucks vs. Clippers
- Mar. 21, 2024 – Bucks vs. Nets
In the Jan. 26 game, Beasley attempted two field goals and scored three points while the group allegedly wagered thousands of dollars on his performance. Prosecutors add that the conspirators bet the over on Beasley’s rebounds (3.5) against the Clippers on Mar. 10 and celebrated via text when he secured his fourth board in the final seconds. The plan faltered 11 days later when they took the under on his rebounds versus Brooklyn and he collected six.
NBA response
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said the league is “reviewing the federal indictment” and will “cooperate with the relevant authorities,” emphasizing that “the integrity of our game remains our top priority.” Beasley last appeared in the NBA during the 2024/25 campaign; Davis’s final season was 2021/22.
Career repercussions
Beasley, 29, finished second in 2024/25 Sixth Man of the Year voting with Milwaukee and was expected to sign a multiyear agreement with the Detroit Pistons before negotiations stalled amid the federal probe. He later joined Cangrejeros de Santurce, a Puerto Rican club owned by recording artist Bad Bunny, while awaiting clarity on his NBA future.
Davis, 35, has not played in the league since a 19-game stint with Cleveland three seasons ago.
Broader investigation
The case brings the number of former NBA players charged in the ongoing federal sports-gambling investigation to five, joining Terry Rozier, Jontay Porter and Damon Jones. Porter was permanently banned by the NBA for supplying bettors with confidential information; the remaining cases are pending.
Source: Hoops Rumors
