Former NBA guard Malik Beasley could be preparing to reverse his not-guilty plea in a federal gambling case that has raised serious questions about the integrity of professional basketball.
According to The Athletic, the 29-year-old is currently negotiating a plea agreement with federal prosecutors over allegations that he deliberately manipulated his performance in NBA games to help associates profit from sports betting.
Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, confirmed on Saturday that discussions with the Department of Justice are ongoing, with a decision expected in the coming days. Although a recent court filing indicated that Beasley intends to change his plea, his lawyer emphasized that no agreement has been finalized.
The allegations stem from a federal indictment unsealed on June 29, which charged Beasley, former NBA player Ed Davis and four other individuals in connection with an alleged betting and bribery operation.
According to prosecutors, Beasley accumulated millions of dollars in gambling debts during his NBA career and subsequently agreed to manipulate certain statistical categories during the 2023-24 season, when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Investigators allege that Beasley communicated with Davis, his former Minnesota Timberwolves teammate, about whether he intended to exceed or fall short of particular statistical thresholds. That information was allegedly passed to other individuals who placed substantial wagers on his performances.
Federal authorities identified at least four games potentially affected by the scheme, including contests against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets.
The alleged manipulation involved points and rebounds, with prosecutors claiming that Beasley sometimes intentionally underperformed and, on other occasions, attempted to exceed betting projections.
In exchange, Beasley allegedly received financial benefits through the reduction or elimination of his gambling debts.
The former first-round pick initially pleaded not guilty in July to charges including bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
The latest development represents a potentially significant turning point in a case that has cast a shadow over his professional future.
Beasley last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 16.3 points and establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive three-point shooters. His career subsequently stalled amid the federal investigation, which disrupted his free agency.
After nine NBA seasons and nearly $60 million in career earnings, Beasley now faces the possibility of serious criminal consequences rather than another opportunity on the basketball court.
His case also forms part of a broader federal crackdown on gambling-related corruption in professional basketball, with several other current and former NBA figures facing criminal proceedings.
