The NBA offseason is in full effect now that the league has put the 2025 draft in the past. The 2025 free agency period is the star of the show now, and the action will commence with the opening of the negotiating window on Monday, followed by NBA free agency officially beginning on July 6.
After finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 44-win performance, the Detroit Pistons are in for a busy free agency — especially when it comes to their own expiring contracts. The backcourt trio of Malik Beasley, Dennis Schroder, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is slated to become unrestricted free agents, and it's up in the air as to which of them (if any) will re-sign in the Motor City.
Although there's plenty of time for the Pistons to re-sign any of those names, one veteran guard is less likely to be brought back after a major bombshell was dropped on Sunday.
Pistons SG Malik Beasley Investigated for Gambling on NBA Games
ESPN insider Shams Charania is reporting that Malik Beasley is being investigated by the United States District Attorney's office "on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets." Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, commented on the matter shortly after the news was announced.
"An investigation is not a charge," Haney said. "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."
“An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN. “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.” https://t.co/unbbDwlWwL
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
Beasley's situation is shocking in all the wrong ways and may have cost him a huge bag of cash this summer. In a follow-up post, Charania revealed that the Pistons "were in serious talks" with the pending UFA about a three-year, $42 million contract; however, those discussions "are on pause" as the situation develops.
It's too early to know which markets and games Beasley was allegedly betting on. but any wager placed likely wasn't worth the $42 million he may have potentially cost himself.
Looking to prove himself, Beasley signed a one-year contract with the Pistons ahead of the 2024-25 season. The former Florida State Seminole ended up being one of Detroit's key contributors, as he averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 43.0% from the floor and 41.6% from the perimeter while reaching the 82-game mark for the first time in his nine-year career.
It's not surprising to learn that Beasley was on track for a big pay raise had it not been for his newest hurdle. He's a seasoned sharpshooter with over 600 games played between the regular season and playoffs under his belt, and that's the type of proven experience NBA teams crave to add during the offseason.
For now, Pistons fans will continue monitoring Beasley's situation in the coming days. If he's cleared of any wrongdoing, there's no doubt the Motor City would love to have the former 2016 first-rounder back for another three-plus seasons.
But if not and it turns out Beasley did gamble on NBA games, the Pistons will likely look to replace him with someone who'd be a better example for their young roster.
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