Former NBA guard Malik Beasley is preparing to plead guilty in a federal sports betting case involving allegations that he deliberately manipulated his performances to help others profit from player prop wagers. The 29-year-old previously denied the charges but has now reached an agreement with prosecutors, marking a significant development in the investigation. Beasley is scheduled to enter his plea on December 9 in federal court in Brooklyn, according to court proceedings and confirmation from his attorney.
Beasley was among six people charged by federal prosecutors in June over an alleged scheme involving games during the 2023-24 NBA season. The indictment included bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy.
According to prosecutors, Beasley agreed to deliberately underperform or overperform in certain stats while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. The alleged arrangement allowed associates with insider information of his intentions to place wagers on his player props, including points and rebounds.
Former NBA player Ed Davis allegedly served as an intermediary between Beasley and other participants. Prosecutors claim Beasley had accumulated substantial gambling debts and received payments through reductions or cancellations of money he owed Davis. The group allegedly placed hundreds of thousands of dollars in wagers across multiple sportsbooks.
The allegations involve at least four games against Cleveland, Charlotte, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Brooklyn. Beasley was previously indicted alongside Davis and four other defendants, with investigators accusing the group of using insider information to influence betting outcomes.
The investigation has also affected Beasley’s professional basketball career. He spent the 2024-25 season with Detroit, averaging 16.3 points per game and finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His strong performance reportedly positioned him for a three-year contract worth approximately $42 million.
However, discussions about a three-year, $42 million deal with Detroit fell apart after the federal gambling investigation became public. Beasley’s decision to change his plea represents a shift from July, when he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Even when these charges are resolved, Beasley is highly unlikely to play in the NBA ever again.
Beasley’s case adds to concerns about whether player prop betting creates opportunities for athletes to influence wagering outcomes. Unlike traditional bets on game results, player props focus on individual stats that can sometimes be affected by a small number of plays that often aren’t impactful to the final result.
The NBA has already called for tighter player prop restrictions, including lower betting limits and fewer wagering options tied to player props. The league has faced growing pressure to strengthen betting integrity protections following several investigations involving professional basketball.
