Detroit Pistons guard and former Los Angeles Lakers player Malik Beasley is under federal investigation for alleged activities related to sports betting in the NBA, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

The investigation focuses on actions during the season 2023-24, when Beasley was playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

According to betting industry sources, at least one major U.S. sportsbook detected unusual patterns in betting related to the player's statistics beginning in January 2024. One of the cases noted was a January 31 game between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers, where bets on Beasley grabbing fewer than 2.5 rebounds increased significantly.

The line went from +120 to -250, indicating abnormal activity. However, that day Beasley grabbed six rebounds and the "suspicious" bets did not materialize.

Presumption of Innocence and Contractual Implications

The player's attorney, Steve Haney, defended his right to due process. "An investigation is not an indictment," Haney told ESPN. “Malik has the same right to the presumption of innocence as any other citizen under the United States Constitution. To date, no charges have been filed against him.”

Haney also confirmed to ABC News that he has already contacted the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, the agency leading the investigation.

The impact of the case is already beginning to be felt. Beasley, who had been negotiating a three-year, $42 million contract to remain in Detroit, has seen talks with the Pistons come to a standstill. The franchise, when contacted, acknowledged being aware of the situation and referred to official statements from the NBA.

For his part, league spokesman Mike Bass assured: “We are cooperating with federal prosecutors in this investigation.”

A history with antecedents and a broader context

Beasley,The 28-year-old had a breakout season with the Pistons, averaging 16.3 points per game and setting a franchise record with 319 three-pointers in a single year. However, this isn't the first time he's faced legal trouble. In 2020, while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he pleaded guilty to threats of violence and was sentenced to 120 days in prison. The NBA also suspended him for 12 games in 2021 for that case. The current prosecution comes amid a broader context in the NBA, which has seen a surge in gambling-related cases. The most high-profile was that of former Raptors player Jontay Porter, who was banned for life in April after it was revealed that he shared confidential information with gamblers and bet on games. Miami Heat's Terry Rozier has also been linked to another federal investigation into betting patterns in 2023, though he has not been charged.