NBA Confirms Investigation into Malik Beasley Gambling Allegations After Federal Probe

Two months after it was reported that Malik Beasley was under federal investigation as part of a gambling probe, the NBA has verified it is also investigating the allegations involving the 28-year-old.

Per ESPN's David Purdum, the league confirmed an investigation into Beasley on Wednesday, and the probe is "believed to be in its final stages."

Purdum noted the investigation stems from allegations of improper gambling on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on June 29 that the United States District Attorney's office was investigating Beasley. He was deep in talks with the Detroit Pistons on a three-year, $42 million deal before it came out that he was being investigated.

There has been some confusion about where things stand with Beasley in the federal investigation. His attorneys, Steve Haney and Mike Schachter, said in a statement to Charania on Aug. 22 that their client was no longer the target of the investigation.

"Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation," Haney said. "An allegation with no charge, indictment or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence."

However, that same day, Robert Snell and Coty M. Davis of the Detroit News quoted Haney as saying he has "no idea" if Beasley will be charged with a crime.

"That is the frustrating thing," Haney explained. "You live in a state of purgatory with a cloud hanging over your head for what? Forever? And you're out of the league and can never play basketball again?"

Per an Aug. 22 report from Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports, Beasley is still a "subject" of the federal investigation. Schiffer also noted the Department of Justice has a distinction between being the "target" or "subject" of an investigation.

The difference is largely technical, with a "target" being a person with "substantial evidence linking them to a crime. A "subject" is someone whose conduct is "within the scope of the grand jury's investigation."

As the federal investigation continues, Beasley also finds himself subject to potential discipline by the NBA. He wrote in an Instagram post on Sept. 8 that his "decision is near" as far as picking a team in free agency.

Beasley finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season. He averaged 16.3 points on a career-high 41.6 percent three-point shooting in 82 games for the Pistons.

All 30 teams will open training camp no later than Sept. 29. The regular season tips off Oct. 21.