Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s office for gambling allegations involving NBA games and prop bets, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told Charania. “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.”
During a SportsCenter appearance, Charania states that Beasley allegedly placed bets on games during the 2023-24 season.
The Pistons have acknowledged that an investigation is ongoing and are deferring any comment to the NBA office, according to Coty M. Davis of The Detroit News.
Beasley is one of the top free agents on the market, and Charania reports that he was in “serious talks” on a three-year, $42M contract to remain in Detroit. However, sources tell Charania that those negotiations are now on hold.
Beasley, who joined the Pistons as a free agent last summer, finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. He was a potent weapon off the bench as Detroit made a surprise playoff appearance, averaging 16.3 PPG in 82 games.
The Pistons have been mentioned as a leading contender to sign Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and the Minnesota shooting guard could become the focus of their offseason plans if they determine that Beasley’s legal issues make him too risky.
The situation with Beasley and the expected loss of Dennis Schroder in free agency may open enough cap space to allow Detroit to make an offer to Alexander-Walker that exceeds the $14.1M non-taxpayer midlevel exception, according to cap expert Yossi Gozlan. The Pistons could have $17M available by renouncing Tim Hardaway Jr., and they could bring him back later with the room exception.
