Malik Beasley Negotiates Plea Deal in NBA Prop Bet Scandal
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Former NBA player faces charges for manipulating personal statistics to facilitate illegal sports gambling wins.
As CBS Sports first reported, former NBA player Malik Beasley is currently negotiating a plea deal with Department of Justice lawyers regarding his involvement in an illegal sports gambling ring. While Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, confirmed that conversations are ongoing, a final decision on the agreement is expected early next week.
On June 29, Beasley was indicted over allegations that he manipulated his own statistics throughout the 2023-24 season. The indictment claims Beasley collaborated with former NBA player Ed Davis and four other co-conspirators to ensure bettors won on specific prop bets, an effort intended to settle millions of dollars in gambling debts. CBS Sports reports that prosecutors recovered text messages from co-defendants celebrating a March 10 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, in which Beasley shoved a teammate to exceed his rebounding prop with 1.1 seconds remaining.
The operation reportedly collapsed during a March 21 game against the Brooklyn Nets after Beasley exceeded a rebounding prop, leading co-defendants to demand a refund from Davis. Beasley originally pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and bribery in sporting contests.
If a deal is reached, Beasley would follow Jontay Porter, who pleaded guilty in 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his part in a similar ring. Other figures facing legal issues include Terry Rozier, who pleaded not guilty to charges in an unrelated gambling ring, and Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones, who were arrested in connection with an illegal poker ring; Jones also faces illegal sports betting charges.