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.
A Pistons spokesperson told the Free Press on Sunday, June 29, the team is aware of the allegations and has no other information. The allegations were first reported by ESPN.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN.com: “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.”
Beasley is coming off of a historic season for the Pistons, averaging 16.3 points and becoming the fourth player in NBA history to make 300 3-pointers in a single season.
He’s an unrestricted free agent and wanted to return to Detroit, but the report creates uncertainty with free agency negotiations opening on June 30 at 6 p.m. ESPN reported he intended to sign a three-year, $42 million contract to remain in Detroit.
The game in question reported occurred during the 2023-24 season when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN. The odds of Beasley grabbing fewer than 2.5 rebounds shortened from around +120 to about -250 because of a surge of action on the under ahead of the Jan. 31 game against the Trail Blazers, the report said. Beasley finished with six rebounds.
The timing of the news could force the Pistons to pivot in free agency, if there are concerns about his availability for next season. They initially were projected to use their $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception to re-sign Beasley. Instead, they could pursue outside targets such as Minnesota Timberwolves wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Omari Sankofa can be reached at osankofa@freepress.com.
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