Breaking down Malik Beasley’s “under the radar” season and looming free agency
NBA analyst Nate Duncan shares insights into Malik Beasley’s elevated level of play and his free agency market.
Detroit Pistons free agent Malik Beasley is no longer a target of a federal gambling investigation, according to an ESPN report.
Beasley’s attorneys said they had “extensive conversations and meetings” with the Eastern District of New York, the court that is conducting the investigation.
The report said officials determined Beasley is not considered a target after allegations regarding gambling on bets and NBA games during the 2023-24 season, when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Will Beasley return to Detroit?
Earlier this month, the guard coming off a historic season for the Pistons, didn’t rule out a return to Detroit, the Free Press reported. He posted a Snapchat story on Aug. 6 saying he’s preparing to play the upcoming 2025-26 season, despite having no reported contract offer from an NBA team. He is currently a free agent.
“We gotta be prepared to come back to the Pistons, or, like I said, there’s some other teams interested as well,” Beasley said in the video. He didn’t reveal which other teams have expressed an interest, nor the level of interest they have in signing him.
This Pistons initially offered Beasley a three-year, $42 million deal and Beasley confirmed in early August that he was excited about the offer.
Contract negotiations stalled when an FBI Investigation into suspicious gambling activity that allegedly involved Beasley came to light.
Additionally, Beasley is being sued by Hazan Sports Management Group and owes money to various creditors, including a money lender.
“I got this new chip on my shoulder, of like ‘F the world,’ kind of,” he said. “You know, my back against the wall and nobody believes in me, everybody’s just saying what they’re saying. So, I got a new focus.”
Beasley averaged 16.3 points last season and is one of five players in NBA history to make 300 3-pointers in a single season. He finished second in 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting, the league announced in April.
Detroit Free Press reporters Omari Sankofa II, Christian Romo contributed reporting.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.