Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under federal investigation for alleged gambling violations involving NBA games, according to reporting by ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania.
The U.S. District Attorney’s office has launched a probe into Beasley over suspicions tied to bets placed on league contests and prop wagers. As of now, no formal 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.”
The timing of the investigation carries major implications for the free agency market. Beasley, 28, had just wrapped up a strong 2024–25 campaign with Detroit, where he averaged 16.3 points per game and shot 41.6% from three-point range.
He appeared in all 82 regular season games for the Pistons, playing a key role in their sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference with a 44-38 record.
Beasley, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal with Detroit last offseason, had been engaged in serious talks with the front office on a new three-year, $42 million contract to remain with the franchise. Sources told ESPN that those discussions are now on pause.
The veteran shooting guard has played for seven different teams over nine seasons, including stints with Denver, Minnesota, Utah, the Lakers, Milwaukee, and most recently, Detroit.
In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Beasley logged 14.0 points per game across six appearances while hitting 3.3 threes per contest. He had become one of Detroit’s most consistent offensive threats throughout the season.
Any confirmed violations related to gambling could lead to significant disciplinary action under the league’s strict integrity policy, which prohibits any player from betting on NBA games.
The NBA has yet to issue a public comment on the matter.
As the investigation unfolds, Beasley’s future in free agency and the league at large remains uncertain. Teams across the league are monitoring the situation closely with free agency set to open soon.
