Former Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Malik Beasley was able to turn the best shooting season of his career while with the team into a nice payday. After averaging 11.3 points and shooting a career-best 41.3% from three in 2023-24 while playing on the veteran minimum (roughly $2 million), Beasley signed a one-year $6 million with the Detroit Pistons for 2024-25.
And he was even better.
This past season, Beasley averaged 16.3 points while playing all 82 games and shot 41.6% from three. This production made him one of the more notable names on the free agent market with many thinking he could make well over $10 million a season on a long-term deal.
That is, until today’s report dropped.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Shooting Guard Malik Beasley Is the Subject of a Federal Investigation
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) high fives guard Jaden Ivey (23), Milwaukee Bucks
Dec 26, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) high fives guard Jaden Ivey (23) after a play against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
On the same day that Bucks fan-favorite Bobby Portis inked a new three-year $44 million contract, it was reported by ESPN’s senior NBA insider, Shams Charania, that Beasley is the subject of a federal investigation. Allegedly, he gambled on NBA games and made prop bets during the 2023-24 season (while he was with Milwaukee).
BREAKING: 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, sources told ESPN. Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents. pic.twitter.com/U0W1QONYva
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
Unfortunately, this is not Beasley’s first interaction with the law. Early in his career, he was arrested and sentenced to 120 days in jail for pointing a rifle at a family member. He served just 78 days of his sentence before being released.
Now, instead of awaiting a new lucrative NBA contract, Beasley will be awaiting the findings of the federal investigation, which will almost certainly mean teams are going to stay away from him in the interim.
Fans React to Former Milwaukee Bucks Guard Malik Beasley Being Investigated for Gambling
Milwaukee Bucks, Malik Beasley
Mar 30, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
As one might have expected, fans from just about every NBA fanbase had some thoughts on the topic of Beasley being investigated by the federal government:
All imma say is before they nuked bro’s account, he called this 🫣 https://t.co/GWnY4UnKUY pic.twitter.com/aFhLBdO1WR
— Hamz Talks Hoops (@hamztalkshoops_) June 29, 2025
It all makes sense https://t.co/wOqOXg8IuC pic.twitter.com/XCLYhYplYL
— #Blakealytics (@Blakealyticss) June 29, 2025
feds got him right before free agency started https://t.co/9CmQmmiJ9n pic.twitter.com/Vz3gl2KyTb
— 🌍 (@jdenmcgb) June 29, 2025
Further proof of my conspiracy that a lot of NBA games are rigged. The sports announcers promote the sport betting platforms and make their own picks during the games so it’s not shocking that the players are also betting. They should investigate the coaches next. https://t.co/XwkoK1yel1
— shaad (@rashaaddenzel) June 29, 2025
This development has, and should, call into question the NBA’s partnership with gambling sites. While what Beasley allegedly did was wrong, it is hard for fans to really take this situation seriously as the league constantly promotes online betting.
It will be interesting to see what happens next in this case.
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