TITLE: Federal probe no longer centers on free-agent guard Malik Beasley
SLUG: malik-beasley-no-longer-investigation-target
CONTENT:
Free-agent swingman Malik Beasley is no longer a focus of the federal gambling investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, according to attorneys Steve Haney and Mike Schachter, who spoke with ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The inquiry, first revealed in late June just before the start of NBA free agency, examined wagering patterns tied to Beasley’s individual prop bets during the 2023-24 season. Haney said recent discussions with prosecutors confirmed that “Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,” emphasizing that the allegation has caused “catastrophic” fallout despite no indictment or conviction.
With potential punishment ranging up to a lifetime NBA ban—similar to the league’s sanction of Jontay Porter for manipulating prop bets—teams were hesitant to extend offers without clarity on Beasley’s status. Investigators had reportedly scrutinized an unusual surge of betting on Beasley’s under-2.5-rebounds line before a Jan. 31 game; he collected six boards that night.
The 28-year-old also faced off-court financial strain this summer, including litigation from a former marketing firm and an eviction case filed by his landlord. Even so, Beasley’s on-court résumé remains strong: he averaged 16.3 points for Detroit last season, finished second league-wide in made three-pointers (319) and was runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year.
Prior to the investigation, the Pistons and Beasley were discussing a three-year deal worth roughly $42 million. Detroit can no longer reach that figure after spending its non-taxpayer mid-level exception on Caris LeVert, but the club still holds Beasley’s Non-Bird rights and could offer about $7.2 million for 2025-26. Few other franchises—and even fewer playoff contenders—have room to exceed that amount.
The New York Knicks are among the teams that have gathered information on Beasley’s situation, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, though they could only present a minimum-salary contract at this stage.
With prosecutors now indicating that Beasley is not a target, league interest is expected to pick up as training camp approaches.
Source: Hoops Rumors
