Malik Beasley reaches plea deal in NBA player prop betting case

Former Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in the NBA betting case, reversing his earlier not guilty plea, Beasley’s attorney Steve Haney confirmed to multiple outlets Tuesday. Beasley initially pleaded not guilty in July and is scheduled to change his plea Dec. 9 in Brooklyn federal court.

Charges and allegations

Beasley faces four charges stemming from an alleged scheme to manipulate player prop bets during the 2023-24 NBA season as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Federal prosecutors allege Beasley worked with a group of bettors to manipulate his statistics in at least four games during his sole season in Milwaukee.

According to the indictment, Beasley had accumulated millions of dollars in gambling losses before agreeing to alter his performance and provide advance information that others could use to bet on his statistical unders.

Beasley was indicted in June alongside five others, including former NBA player Ed Davis, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Co-defendants and case status

Co-defendant William Brown pleaded guilty earlier this month, while Robert Gorodetsky and Ernesto Plascencia are expected to follow. Ed Davis and former NBA agent Paolo Zamorano have pleaded not guilty.

Impact on Beasley’s career

Beasley made a Pistons-record 319 three-pointers in his last season with the Pistons, finishing second in the NBA behind Anthony Edwards by a single make. He shot 41.6% from beyond the arc, averaged 16.3 points and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Detroit was reportedly preparing to re-sign Beasley to a three-year, $42 million contract before learning of the federal investigation in the middle of free agency. The Pistons withdrew the offer, and Beasley has not played in the NBA since.

League response

Earlier this month, the NBA directed sportsbook partners to stop offering parlays combining multiple unders on the same player’s statistics, along with under bets involving players projected to play fewer than 12 minutes. The NBA also named Kalshi and Polymarket its preferred prediction market exchanges this week and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.