Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s office for allegedly betting on NBA games and player prop bets, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. No charges have been filed.
“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.”
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass confirmed the league is cooperating with federal prosecutors.
The investigation stems from suspicious betting patterns reported by a U.S. sportsbook, which flagged unusual activity involving Beasley’s prop bets beginning in January 2024. At that time, Beasley was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, prior to his stint with the Pistons. He started 77 games that season and averaged 11.3 points while shooting 41% from three-point range.
That performance had significantly boosted his value on the market, and the Pistons were in advanced discussions to re-sign Beasley to a three-year, $42 million deal, per Charania. However, those talks are now paused. The investigation could also cool interest from other teams in free agency.
Beasley, 28, signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Detroit last season and delivered a breakout year. He averaged 16.3 points per game, shot 41% from three, and finished second in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting. His 319 made three-pointers ranked second in the league behind Minnesota's Anthony Edwards. He also became just the third player in NBA history to make 300 threes while shooting over 40%.
With his future uncertain, the Pistons—who just drafted Tennessee sharpshooter Chaz Lanier and are pursuing free agent Nickeil Walker-Alexander—may need to accelerate efforts to secure backcourt reinforcements.
Beasley remains eligible to play and sign with teams pending further legal developments.
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