A federal indictment ties an NBA guard to a point-shaving and prop-bet scheme — the latest in a widening wave of basketball gambling cases.
Malik Beasley was reportedly indicted Monday on federal charges tied to a sports-betting scheme involving point shaving and prop bets, according to ESPN. Former NBA player Ed Davis was also indicted. The pair allegedly manipulated Beasley’s performance in four games during the 2023-24 season. Beasley is reportedly arranging a voluntary surrender.
- The Malik Beasley Indictment
- How the Alleged Scheme Worked
- A Career Derailed by Investigation
- A Widening NBA Gambling Crisis
Malik Beasley was reportedly indicted Monday on federal charges tied to a sports-betting scheme. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the indictment. The Athletic reported that former NBA veteran Ed Davis was indicted in the same investigation. The two allegedly worked together to manipulate Beasley’s on-court performance across four games in the 2023-24 season. Beasley, 29, is reportedly cooperating with the government on a voluntary surrender. The charges mark the most serious turn yet in a gambling case that has shadowed the guard for more than a year.
The Malik Beasley Indictment
Five people reportedly face charges in the case. Beasley, Davis, former NBA agent Paolo Zamorano, and two other men are named, according to The Athletic. The reported charges include sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Beasley and Davis were teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020-21 season. The alleged conduct came later, in 2023-24, when Davis was out of the league and Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks. According to reports, Beasley is working with prosecutors on a voluntary surrender rather than facing arrest. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and all five are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
How the Alleged Scheme Worked
The scheme reportedly grew out of gambling debt. Beasley allegedly owed millions, which prompted Davis to loan him money. To clear the debt, the two reportedly turned to a betting scheme alongside three others. According to The Athletic, the group placed tens of thousands of dollars on a Beasley game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24. The numbers stand out. Beasley averaged 11.3 points per game that season. He scored just three in that contest. He was also accused of rigging a game against the Charlotte Hornets, where a bettor wagered on Beasley going over his rebound prop. Prop bets on individual player stats are central to the case, since a single player can move a line without altering the game’s result.
A Career Derailed by Investigation
Beasley was set for a major payday before the case surfaced. The gambling investigation broke last June, mid-free agency, after his strongest recent season. He had played all 81 games for the Detroit Pistons in 2024-25, starting 18. He averaged 16.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. A multiyear Pistons offer was reportedly on the table when the news hit. Following the disclosure, his attorneys later claimed he was no longer the subject of a federal probe. The NBA then launched its own investigation into his conduct. As a result, Beasley went unsigned through the entire 2025-26 season. Denver drafted him 19th overall in 2016, and he drew Sixth Man of the Year votes after 2018-19 before bouncing between several teams.
A Widening NBA Gambling Crisis
Beasley and Davis are not isolated cases. The NBA has faced a string of gambling-related charges and bans. In November, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested in two separate investigations. The FBI named both among more than 30 individuals in alleged illegal gambling operations. Billups was placed on leave immediately. Rozier did not play for the Heat during 2025-26. Former player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also arrested in connection with those probes. In 2024, Toronto’s Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban for violating the league’s gambling policy. The pattern points to mounting pressure on leagues and regulated sportsbooks to police player-linked betting. For readers in regulated Asian markets, our online sports betting in Asia guide covers how licensed books operate, and our Asian handicap betting guide explains the market structures behind these wagers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Malik Beasley charged with?
Malik Beasley was reportedly indicted on federal charges tied to a sports-betting scheme, according to ESPN and The Athletic. The reported charges include sports bribery, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The allegations have not been proven in court.
How did the alleged scheme work?
Beasley and Ed Davis allegedly manipulated Beasley’s performance across four 2023-24 games to settle gambling debt. In one game against Cleveland, the group reportedly bet tens of thousands on Beasley underperforming. He averaged 11.3 points that season but scored just three. A separate game involved a rebounds prop bet.
Why did Beasley go unsigned in 2025-26?
Beasley went unsigned through the 2025-26 NBA season because of the gambling investigation. It surfaced during his free agency in June, disrupting a likely major contract. He had averaged 16.3 points for Detroit the prior season. Both federal and NBA investigations left his status unresolved, and no team signed him.
Who else was indicted with Beasley?
Former NBA veteran Ed Davis was reportedly indicted alongside Beasley, according to The Athletic. Former NBA agent Paolo Zamorano and two other men also face charges, bringing the total to five defendants. Davis and Beasley were teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020-21 NBA season.
Are other NBA figures under gambling investigation?
Yes. In November, Heat guard Terry Rozier and Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested in separate investigations among over 30 people. Former player Damon Jones was also arrested. In 2024, Toronto’s Jontay Porter received a lifetime NBA ban for violating the league’s gambling policy.
What are prop bets and why do they matter here?
Prop bets are wagers on individual player statistics, such as points or rebounds, rather than the game’s outcome. They matter in this case because a single player can miss a statistical target without changing who wins, making props more vulnerable to manipulation than traditional game-result betting.
This article has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by the CasinoBait editorial team to ensure accuracy and relevance for Asian casino players.
