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Pair of Former Lakers Accused of Illegal Gambling
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- Pair of Former Lakers Accused of Illegal Gambling
A pair of former Los Angeles Lakers players were charged with wire fraud conspiracy and bribery in sporting contests by federal prosecutors, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times on Monday.
Malik Beasley and Ed Davis were allegedly part of a sports betting scheme that involved at least four other people, including Beasley's former agent Paolo Zamorano.
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Beasley reportedly accrued millions of dollars in gambling debt, and Davis loaned him money to pay off the debt. To pay off the debt, Beasley and Davis allegedly manipulated Beasley's performance in five games. Meanwhile, Zamorano and others bet on Beasley's performance using that information.
The first game was allegedly when Beasley and Davis were teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2021-22 season. Then, Beasley rigged four more of his performances during the 2023-24 season when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks .
"As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, bribing then-NBA player Malik Beasley to fix his performance in multiple games in order to place fraudulent wagers, enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks," said Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, per the Los Angeles Times . "Bribery and insider betting schemes like this one involving former NBA players and a current NBA player agent who exploited inside NBA information for profit erode the integrity of American sports and victimize the sports-watching public."
When Did Beasley and Davis Play for the Lakers?
Beasley played for the Lakers most recently during the 2022-23 season.
Mar 14, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley (5) reacts after a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
He did not play during the 2025-26 season and has been under investigation over the past year for participating in illegal sports betting. The Detroit Pistons reportedly offered Beasley a three-year, $42-million contract last summer but then rescinded the offer after learning about the allegations.
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Davis played for the Lakers during the 2014-15 season and has not played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season.
Feb 6, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (21) and forward Carlos Boozer (5) talk against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
The NBA said it is opening an investigation into the allegations against Beasley and Davis.
"We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictment unsealed today involving Malik Beasley and Ed Davis," NBA spokesman Mike Bass told The Athletic . "Beasley last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, and Davis last played in the league during the 2021-22 season. We will continue to investigate this matter and cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority."
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Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, 37-year-old Davis was never expected to return to the NBA. But the stakes are much higher for 29-year-old Beasley, who commanded a multi-year deal with the Pistons before his involvement in illegal sports betting allegations.
Photo Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The post Pair of Former Lakers Accused of Illegal Gambling appeared first on LA Sports Report .
