June 30th 2025.
Malik Beasley, a talented NBA player for the Detroit Pistons, finds himself at the center of a federal investigation into his alleged involvement in gambling activities. As reported by ESPN, the investigation revolves around accusations that Beasley placed bets on NBA games and proposition bets during the 2023-24 season, while he was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Beasley's lawyer, Steve Haney, has emphasized that an investigation is not the same as being charged with a crime. He reminded the media that Beasley, like any other American, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. While no charges have been filed against Beasley at this time, Haney has acknowledged that he has been in communication with the prosecutors handling the case.
The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York and has caught the attention of both the Pistons and the NBA. League spokesman Mike Bass has stated that they are fully cooperating with the federal prosecutors in their efforts.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the NBA has had to deal with players engaging in illegal gambling activities. In April of 2024, the league banned Jontay Porter, a forward for the Toronto Raptors, for gambling on games and attempting to manipulate the outcome by pretending to be ill. More recently, it was revealed that Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat was also under investigation by federal authorities for his involvement in gambling. While the NBA did not find evidence of a violation of league rules, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York has confirmed an ongoing investigation into Rozier's actions.
The timing of the investigation could not be worse for Beasley, as he was in the midst of negotiating a lucrative three-year, $42 million contract with the Pistons before news of the investigation broke. As the inquiry continues, all talks of a contract have been put on hold. In his first season with the Pistons, Beasley proved himself to be a valuable player, averaging 16.3 points per game and setting a franchise record for the most 3-pointers made in a single season with 319.
Sadly, this is not the first time that an NBA player has been accused of gambling-related activities. In fact, rumors have swirled for years about Michael Jordan's gambling habits, and even rapper Drake has confirmed that he is aware of the rumors. It is a troubling trend that the league and its players must work together to address and prevent in the future.
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