NBA Launches Secret Probe Into Malik Beasley Gambling Allegations—What Could It Mean for the Star?

Malik Beasley’s name keeps echoing through the corridors of a sweeping federal gambling probe, even though he’s no longer the prime suspect. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has cast a wide net, zeroing in particularly on some 2024 Milwaukee Bucks games where prop bets around Beasley’s performance have raised eyebrows. And this isn’t just a federal matter—the NBA is dipping its toes in the investigation pool too. Adam Silver, fresh off the Board of Governors meeting, confirmed the league is watching the situation closely, though no charges have landed on Beasley’s doorstep yet. Still, the shadow of this probe has sent ripples through the free-agent market. Once poised for a lucrative Detroit re-signing, Beasley now finds teams wary, their purses tight with no appetite for risk amid cap constraints and murky legal clouds. His impressive 16.3 points per game and sharpshooting prowess last season can’t quite outweigh the uncertainty—until the smoke clears, franchises will keep their distance, waiting on the sidelines. LEARN MORE

While no longer the target of it, Malik Beasley remains a subject in a wide-ranging gambling investigation being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (the one that led to a lifetime ban of Raptors guard Jontay Porter). Part of the focus of that investigation is on some games Beasley played while with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024, and prop bets around his play in those games.

The NBA is also investigating the matter, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday.

“I’ll only say there that the investigation is ongoing,” Silver said following the league’s Board of Governors meeting in New York. “As I understand it, there’s still a federal investigation that’s ongoing of Malik Beasley as well. We will address whatever is presented to us in his case.”

Beasley has not been charged in relation to the federal investigation and is no longer its central focus, a fact his agent has repeatedly emphasized. Beasley is fully cooperating with the investigation as well, according to his attorney.

While true, because Beasley remains a subject in that investigation — which could still lead to charges — and could face discipline from the league, no team has gone near him in free agency. Back before the start of free agency (and before news of the investigation broke), Beasley was reportedly in discussions about re-signing in Detroit for around three years, $42 million. Now, even if he were cleared of all charges tomorrow, no team has that kind of cap space left to spend. Detroit moved on and added Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson to fill Beasley’s role.

Beasley had a large role in Detroit. He averaged 16.3 points a game while shooting 41.6% on 3-pointers for the Pistons last season, and he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He’d be the best free agent on the market, but until these investigations are wrapped up, teams may express interest but will stay at arm’s length.