NBA Investigates Malik Beasley for Possible Illegal Gambling
The NBA is conducting its own investigation into the gambling allegations against Malik Beasley, the free agent guard. Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed this information on Wednesday. The investigation focuses on potential improper wagers on games and player prop bets during the 2023-24 season, when Beasley played with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to sources familiar with the matter.Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, stated that his client is “fully cooperating” with the NBA’s investigation. On June 29, it was reported that Beasley, 28, was under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. At that time, the NBA indicated that it was cooperating with that investigation. Two months later, Haney announced that Beasley was no longer the target of the federal investigation, which has resulted in four guilty pleas related to a betting scheme involving former NBA player Jontay Porter. The news of the federal investigation surfaced just before Beasley and the Detroit Pistons finalized a three-year, $42 million contract. The offer was withdrawn, but other teams have shown interest in Beasley. In a recent Instagram post, Beasley wrote that he would soon make a decision. Silver declined to specify whether there are limitations on Beasley’s availability during the league’s investigation, which is believed to be in its final stages. According to a source in the gaming industry, at least one US sportsbook detected unusual interest in Beasley’s statistics starting in January 2024. The source mentioned a game between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, 2024. Beasley’s odds of recording under 2.5 rebounds moved significantly before the game, going from around +120 to -250 due to an increase in bets on the “under”. Beasley finished with six rebounds, and the bets considered unusual were lost.“I’ll just say that the investigation is ongoing. I understand there’s also a federal investigation ongoing with respect to Malik Beasley. We’ll address what comes before us in his case,” Silver stated.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
