Malik Beasley Agrees to Plead Guilty in NBA Sports Betting Case

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Former NBA guard Malik Beasley has agreed to plead guilty in a federal sports betting case, his attorney confirmed on October 27. The agreement sets up a December 9 hearing and marks a significant shift in proceedings involving alleged manipulation of NBA player prop bets.

Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, confirmed the agreement following negotiations with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Beasley is scheduled to formally change his plea in Brooklyn federal court, although the specific charges covered by the agreement have not been disclosed.

Malik Beasley to Change Plea After Denying Gambling Charges

The 29-year-old was indicted on June 29 alongside five other defendants accused of participating in a scheme to manipulate NBA performances for illegal sports betting profits. Beasley previously pleaded not guilty to four federal charges during his July 1 arraignment in Brooklyn.

Those charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering. His scheduled guilty plea represents a change in his legal position, although no conviction or sentencing decision has been announced.

The case has also affected Beasley’s basketball career. After averaging 16.3 points per game and finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting with the Detroit Pistons during the 2024-25 season, he was reportedly close to securing a three-year, $42 million contract before the team withdrew its offer following news of the federal investigation.

Beasley earned approximately $60 million during nine NBA seasons and last played in the league in 2025. He remains without an NBA contract as the criminal proceedings continue.

Prosecutors Allege Manipulation of NBA Player Prop Bets

According to the Department of Justice’s June indictment announcement, Beasley allegedly coordinated with former teammate Ed Davis to manipulate his performances while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season.

Federal prosecutors identified four games involving alleged manipulation: against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, Charlotte Hornets on February 27, Los Angeles Clippers on March 10 and Brooklyn Nets on March 21, 2024. The scheme allegedly involved Beasley deliberately recording statistics above or below certain betting lines so associates could profit from advance knowledge of his intended performance.

Prosecutors allege Beasley had accumulated multimillion-dollar gambling debts and received financial assistance from Davis. According to the indictment, Davis acted as an intermediary between Beasley and other bettors, distributing information about his planned performances in exchange for payments or reductions in Beasley’s debts.

The alleged operation involved wagers worth hundreds of thousands of dollars across multiple sportsbooks. Six defendants were charged, including Davis, NBA player agent Paolo Zamorano and three other individuals.

William Brown has already pleaded guilty, while Robert Gorodetsky and Ernesto Plascencia are also expected to enter guilty pleas. Davis and Zamorano have maintained their not-guilty pleas.

NBA Gambling Investigations Continue as Other Cases Await Trial

Beasley’s agreement follows another prominent NBA gambling case involving former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty in July 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Porter was permanently banned from the NBA after admitting involvement in a separate betting scheme linked to his performances.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier faces a separate federal case involving allegations that he provided advance information about leaving a March 2023 game early, allowing associates to place profitable player prop bets. Rozier has denied the allegations and is scheduled to stand trial on February 8, 2027.

Former Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups also faces federal charges in a separate alleged rigged poker operation. Billups has pleaded not guilty, and his case remains pending.

The NBA has said it is monitoring the proceedings involving Beasley. His December 9 hearing is expected to establish which charges he will formally admit, while any sentencing decision will follow separately.

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