Former NBA player Malik Beasley has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges stemming from an investigation into an alleged sports gambling and bribery scheme. The former Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves guard was initially indicted in June 2026 on charges related to sports bribery, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.
Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN that the nine-year NBA veteran will enter his guilty plea on Dec. 9, 2026, in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, per a post on X by Shams Charania. Beasley was indicted alongside former NBA player Ed Davis and four others. He had initially pleaded not guilty before entering negotiations with federal prosecutors.
The case centers on allegations that Beasley participated in a scheme to manipulate his performances during games for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2023-24 season. Prosecutors alleged that bettors wagered on specific player statistics, known as proposition bets, with the expectation that Beasley would underperform in specific categories.
The investigation identified four games involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets, LA Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets. Per The Athletic, Davis reportedly loaned money to Beasley before the two became involved in a scheme designed to generate money through betting on games he was involved in.
Beasley and Davis were among six men indicted in connection with the case, with the case also proceeding against the four other defendants. The federal investigation has also interrupted Beasley's NBA career. He has not played in the league since the 2024-25 season, when he averaged 16.3 points per game for the Detroit Pistons and finished second in voting for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
Detroit reportedly considered a three-year contract worth approximately $42 million for Beasley after that season. However, the Pistons withdrew the offer after learning that he was under federal investigation.