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NBA free agent off the hook in federal gambling probe, lawyers say

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NBA free agent Malik Beasley is no longer the target of a federal gambling investigation, according to his attorneys.
The investigation stemmed from alleged bets placed during the 2023-24 season while Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
A potential three-year, $42 million deal with the Detroit Pistons stalled after news of the investigation surfaced.

NBA free-agent forward Malik Beasley is no longer the target of the federal gambling investigation, his attorneys told ESPN.

Authorities from the Eastern District of New York were looking at the 28-year-old Beasley for allegations stemming from bets placed during the 2023-24 season when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Beasley was never charged with a crime, but he was the third NBA player that the federal government looked at after gambling allegations arose.

‘Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,’ Beasley’s attorney Steve Haney told ESPN. ‘An allegation with no charge, indictment or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence.’

Beasley played last season for the Detroit Pistons, where he averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and shot 41.6% from 3-point range while playing all 82 games. Detroit was set to offer Beasley a three-year, $42 million deal, but the deal stalled after news of the federal probe leaked.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY