Malik Beasley is an American professional basketball player with a net worth, currently facing financial troubles and a federal investigation.
Malik Beasley, a skilled American basketball player, has a career marked by significant accomplishments, but also by financial difficulties and a federal probe into alleged misconduct. Beasley's playing time with the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons has been notable, particularly his impressive 2024-25 season with the Pistons, where he finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting and set a franchise record with 319 made three-pointers. Nevertheless, his professional trajectory is currently under threat due to a federal investigation into possible gambling and wire fraud, which could have a substantial impact on his future in the league. Beasley's high school basketball career shone brightly at Saint Francis School in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he emerged as one of the top players in the nation. He then attended Florida State University for one year, averaging 15.6 points while earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team, showcasing his exceptional scoring ability and athleticism. His impressive performance led to his selection by the Denver Nuggets with the 19th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Although initially relegated to limited playing time in Denver, Beasley gradually established himself as a reliable shooter, averaging 11.3 points per game in the 2018-19 season while shooting 40.2% from beyond the three-point line. In February 2020, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he quickly made a strong impression, averaging 20.7 points over 14 games before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. Beasley subsequently signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Timberwolves in 2020 and continued to contribute, despite his reputation being affected by off-court issues, including a 2020 arrest and suspension. He later played for the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Detroit Pistons in 2024. Throughout his NBA career, Beasley has secured contracts worth over $59 million, with his most significant deal being the four-year, $60 million contract with the Timberwolves signed in 2020. In 2024, he signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Pistons for the 2024-25 season. In addition to his financial struggles, Beasley has secured a bridge loan deal in 2024, pledging his current and future NBA contracts as collateral. His attorney has acknowledged that using third-party lenders is common among athletes but warned of predatory terms. Beasley is currently under investigation by the FBI for suspected involvement in prop bet manipulation and wire fraud, with the probe focusing on the 2023-24 season, particularly a game between the Bucks and Trail Blazers in which betting activity surged on a prop bet tied to Beasley's rebound total. Although Beasley did not underperform the betting line, the high volume of bets raised scrutiny. Although no charges have been filed, the investigation has already had significant consequences, with the Pistons backing away from their $42 million contract offer and Beasley's future in the league now hanging in the balance as the NBA and federal authorities determine whether his actions breached league rules or federal laws. Beasley's personal life has also been marred by controversy, including a brief reconciliation with Yao in 2022 before they parted ways. Additionally, he served 78 days in a workhouse in 2021 after pleading guilty to a felony charge of threats of violence stemming from a 2020 incident outside his Minnesota home. Despite his setbacks, Beasley has expressed his desire to be a better role model for his son and to learn from his past mistakes.