Malik Beasley reportedly plans to plead guilty in federal NBA gambling case
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Former NBA guard Malik Beasley is reportedly negotiating a plea agreement with federal prosecutors over charges stemming from an alleged gambling scheme involving his performances during the 2023-24 season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
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According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov on Saturday, Beasley is in discussions with Department of Justice attorneys after court records filed Friday indicated that he intends to change his initial not guilty plea.
However, Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, clarified that the 29-year-old has not officially decided to plead guilty. Haney confirmed that discussions with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York remain ongoing, with a final decision expected early next week.
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Federal prosecutors indicted Beasley in June, alleging that he intentionally manipulated his performances in multiple games to benefit gamblers who placed wagers on his individual statistics.
The indictment identified games against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 26, 2024, Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 27, Los Angeles Clippers on March 10 and Brooklyn Nets on March 21 as part of the alleged scheme.
Prosecutors also accused former NBA player Ed Davis of participating in the operation. According to the indictment, Beasley accumulated millions of dollars in gambling debt before receiving a loan from Davis, his former Minnesota Timberwolves teammate.
“Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting,” Davis allegedly texted Beasley in December 2023. “Everything else, they got the edge.”
Davis and Beasley’s former agent, Paolo Zamorano, have pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, two additional defendants, Robert Gorodetsky and Ernesto Plascencia, intend to change their pleas to guilty. Another defendant, William Brown, previously pleaded guilty.
Malik Beasley’s gambling case adds to growing NBA investigation
Kelley L Cox-Imagn ImagesBeasley’s legal troubles have overshadowed a productive nine-year NBA career that included stops with the Denver Nuggets, Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Bucks and Detroit Pistons.
The former first-round pick earned nearly $60 million in NBA salaries and appeared positioned to secure another lucrative contract following his impressive 2024-25 campaign with Detroit.
Beasley averaged 16.3 points while shooting 41.6% from 3-point range, finishing second in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting. However, the Pistons reportedly withdrew a three-year, $42 million contract offer after learning about the federal investigation.
His case is among several federal investigations involving alleged gambling-related misconduct across the league.
Former NBA center Jontay Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in 2024 after admitting his involvement in a scheme to manipulate his performances. The NBA subsequently banned him for life.
Former player Damon Jones also pleaded guilty this spring to charges involving gambling-related schemes, including allegations that he provided confidential information to bettors.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has pleaded not guilty to separate allegations that he accepted a bribe to remove himself from a Charlotte Hornets game to benefit gamblers.
Former Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups faces separate charges involving an alleged rigged poker operation. He has pleaded not guilty.
For Beasley, the ongoing negotiations represent a potentially significant development in a federal case that has left his NBA future uncertain.
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