Malik Beasley has been officially cleared as a subject of the federal gambling investigation, according to his attorneys Steve Haney and Mike Schachter. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York informed them that Beasley is no longer under investigation, allowing him to move forward in free agency. This information was confirmed to ESPN reporter Shams Charania.
Details of the Gambling Investigation and Its Impact on Beasley
The investigation centered on suspicious betting activity related to Beasley’s rebounding performance in a January 2024 game while he was with the Milwaukee Bucks. A sportsbook noticed an unusual spike in bets on Beasley recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds, despite him ultimately securing six rebounds, causing those bets to lose. During the probe, reports surfaced about Beasley’s financial troubles and legal issues involving unpaid debts, which many linked to the gambling inquiry.
Legal Representation Addresses the Consequences of the Probe
Attorney Steve Haney emphasized the unfair consequences Beasley has faced throughout this process. He stated,
“Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,”
and added,
“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.”
Future Prospects and Contract Implications for Beasley
Although the U.S. Attorney’s Office has not made a public statement, this clearance allows Beasley to re-enter free agency discussions. Before the investigation became public, he was close to signing a three-year, $42 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. However, the uncertainty stalled negotiations and likely diminished the value of any offers available to him now. The Pistons have since acquired Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson to fill roster spots, but could still re-sign Beasley on a significantly lower contract under non-Bird rights, potentially around $7.2 million per year, roughly half of the previous offer.
Significance of the Clearance for Beasley’s Career
Malik Beasley being cleared from the probe removes the legal cloud that had cast doubt over his professional future and financial stability. While the immediate impact on his market value is a setback, the opportunity to sign with a team again offers a path forward. Beasley’s ability to secure a meaningful contract will depend on how teams assess his recent challenges alongside his on-court performance moving ahead.