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Former Timberwolves Guard Being Investigated for Betting on NBA Games
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- Former Timberwolves Guard Being Investigated for Betting on NBA Games
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It's been a rather busy week for the Minnesota Timberwolves , who drafted two 18-year-old 7-footers during the two-round 2025 NBA Draft, before re-upping on two of their own veteran big men, Naz Reid ( Friday ) and Julius Randle ( Sunday ).
It's that time of year for the NBA. With free agency opening on Tuesday, it's decision weekend across the league for teams to make decisions on pending free agents and players to exercise options for 2025-26.
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Malik Beasley being investigated for betting on NBA games/props
Like in Detroit , for example, where former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley was reportedly in "serious contract talks" with the Detroit Pistons on a new deal worth 3 years, $42 million, per Shams Charania (ESPN) . That was until Sunday afternoon, when news broke that will surely put a wrench in those discussions.
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According to Shams, Beasley is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney's office on allegations that he was betting on NBA games and NBA props during the 2023-24 season, while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks .
BREAKING: The U.S. District Attorney's office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets, sources told ESPN. Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents. pic.twitter.com/U0W1QONYva
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
Reporting for @SportsCenter — U.S. District Attorney's office investigating Detroit guard Malik Beasley for allegedly gambling on NBA games, prop bets during the 2023-24 season: pic.twitter.com/RWirWOEHsi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
Related: Rudy Gobert Finally Says No to International Play
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It's important to remember that these investigations are centered around ALLEGATIONS only. Beasley has not even been charged with a crime yet, let alone been found guilty.
Nonetheless, allegations of a professional athlete gambling on their own sport is a big deal, and something that could very well affect the rest of Malik Beasley's pro career. As of now, the investigation does not seem to include any of Beasley's time in Minnesota, where he played parts of three seasons ( 2019-2022 ).
Beasley's personal life still raising questions after leaving Minnesota Timberwolves
With the Timberwolves, Beasley averaged 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game (28.1 MPG). Prior to arriving in Minnesota, the now 28-year-old former 1st round pick averaged just 7.4 points on 16.4 minutes in 206 games with the Denver Nuggets .
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Last year in Detroit, however, Beasley hit his NBA ceiling, averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 82 games (18 starts). His super power since leaving has been the three-point shot, which he shot at a 42% clip last year with the Pistons.
MALIK BEASLEY ENDS THE HALF FROM WAY DOWNTOWN 🎯
His 6th 3PM of the game so far 🔥
Pistons lead by 2 at the break in Game 6 on TNT! pic.twitter.com/vRzr2z2XsP— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2025
This isn't Malik Beasley's first run in with trouble. While playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Beasley walked out of his well-off Twin Cities suburban house, pointing a rifle at a car parked on his curb that held a family who had gotten lost house-hunting in the area.
Not long after, investigations into the guns at the Beasley residence led to additional gun and seizures of 30 oz. worth of marijuana. Even worse, his wife ended up taking the fall for those drug charges, while he was out causing more drama. In the middle of all that, Hennepin County filed for protection of Malik Beasley's son.
In the end, Beasley served a 12-game NBA suspension that season, before rejoining the Timberwolves. A couple years later, however, Connelly finally gave up on the guard he drafted out of Florida State years earlier, dealing him to the Utah Jazz as part of the massive Rudy Gobert blockbuster.
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