NBA Star Malik Beasley Under Investigation for Gambling on Games—$42M Deal Now in Limbo

Detroit Pistons’ sharpshooter Malik Beasley is under scrutiny as the U.S. District Attorney’s office looks into “gambling related to NBA games and prop bets,” per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“BREAKING: The U.S. District Attorney’s office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets, sources told ESPN. Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents,” Charania tweeted on Sunday.

BREAKING: The U.S. District Attorney’s office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets, sources told ESPN. Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents. pic.twitter.com/U0W1QONYva

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

Beasley’s camp, led by attorney Steve Haney, is pushing back. “An investigation is not a charge,” 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 investigation arrives just as Beasley and Detroit were in “serious talks on a new three‑year, $42 million contract to bring the free agent sharpshooter back.” But sources say those negotiations are now on hold amid the probe.

In 2024, ex-NBA player Jontay Porter pled guilty for his role in a prop‑betting scheme. That case involved irregular wagering patterns, including “unders for Porter’s three‑pointers” when he left games early. Porter eventually admitted he acted unlawfully, pleading, “I know what I did was wrong, unlawful, and I am deeply sorry … I did it to get out from under large gambling debts.” He awaits sentencing.

With precedent in mind, Beasley’s situation will be watched closely. Whether contract talks resume depends largely on how the investigation develops. One thing is clear: an accusation doesn’t mean guilt, especially when constitutional protections are involved.