Beasley facing separate NBA probe amid feds' gambling investigation

The NBA has launched its own investigation into gambling allegations surrounding Malik Beasley after suspicious activity around his prop bets, the league told ESPN's David Purdum on Wednesday.

Beasley, 28, already came under scrutiny in a federal investigation looking into the same issue. In late August, his lawyers announced he was no longer a "target" of that probe but admitted to the Detroit News that they have "no idea" if Beasley will ultimately be charged.

The NBA is apparently close to concluding its own inquest, a source told Purdum. The league revealed in June that it was cooperating with the federal probe.

The investigations into Beasley stem from his one season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24. Sportsbooks reportedly flagged unusual activity on the veteran guard's prop bets ahead of a Jan. 31 contest against the Portland Trail Blazers; his over/under on rebounds was at 2.5 for that contest, but the odds for that number shortened from approximately +120 to -250 after a significant number of bettors picked the under. Beasley finished with six rebounds that game, resulting in a loss for those who the picked the under.

The 2016 first-rounder was on course to sign a $42-million, three-year contract to return to Detroit before news of the federal investigation surfaced. The Pistons withdrew that offer and he remained an unrestricted free agent. However, Beasley suggested Monday that his "decision is near," hinting he intends to sign with a club soon ahead of what would be his 10th NBA season.