He is the second player linked to an investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York since Jontay Porter confessed last summer. The Summer League begins this week and Detroit Pistons guard Beasley is still involved in a broad federal gambling inquiry. 

Right before NBA free agency, ESPN reported that federal officers are investigating Beasley in a years-long probe that involves multiple professional athletes. Beasley led the Pistons as the third-highest scorer in the playoffs and went into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.

Reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania said Beasley was already in talks with the Pistons for a three-year, $42 million deal before the investigation was public. He is the third NBA player who is facing a federal probe by the same US Attorney’s Office. Last year, Beasley joined Detroit on a one-year contract worth $6 million.

Beasley’s lawyer, Steve Haney, shared with iGB, “I have worked for many clients in federal cases that did not end with charges.” Haney added, “Beasley should be treated as innocent. No criminal charges have been filed. We hope people do not make conclusions early. Being under investigation can make some think he did something wrong, but there is no proof.”

Porter Scheme: A Cardinal Sin

Last year in July, ex-Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter pleaded guilty in Brooklyn to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Porter was the first NBA player banned for life over gambling since the PASPA ruling in 2018. Porter is the younger brother of Michael Porter Jr., who is a star forward for the Nets, and is one of six people charged with involvement in a large gambling scheme. Several months after his lifetime ban, Porter admitted to impacting the results of his own statistical prop bets for extra money. Back in March, he left a match early and said he had stomach issues.

Prosecutors stated Porter was part of a plan where a group gained $1.1 million profit from a same-game parlay with his own props. Sportsbook operators blocked the payment after getting suspicious about illegal acts. Porter originally could get up to 20 years in prison, but this likely will be reduced. The federal sentencing guidelines set him up for 41 to 51 months, and sentencing is set for December.

Before the lifetime ban, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called match-fixing a “cardinal sin” as it breaks the trust in the league. Silver also wrote that legal sports betting helps uncover unusual activity, but the incident raised serious questions around how bets are offered and the rules for NBA games and players. Since the Porter case, some sportsbooks have responded by cutting prop bet options for bench role players.

Feds Also Probe Rozier

Reports came out in January saying federal police examined Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier over strange betting patterns last year. The focus was on a Hornets-Pelicans game from March 2023, and Rozier was still with Charlotte then, as said by the league. Rozier left the match after 9 minutes and 36 seconds, giving a foot injury as reason. Rozier played 30 times for Charlotte in 2023-24, listing a career-high 23.2 points per game. He made 23 starts for the Heat in the last NBA season.

‘Hit the Unders for Big Numbers’

This January, federal police arrested Shane Hennen from Las Vegas in the Porter gambling case as he tried to fly to Colombia through Panama. Hennen had many phones and carried $10,000 in cash while getting ready for his flight from Harry Reid International Airport. He is a professional poker player and is also a heavy sports bettor with several six-figure wagers posted at SugarShaneWins.com.

There are six accused people (including Porter), but none have been sentenced yet. Court files reveal a co-defendant sent Hennen a text on January 26, 2024, forwarded from “NBA Player 1.” The complaint facts indicate this player is likely Porter. The text read, “Hit the unders for the big numbers. I will play 2 or 3 minutes off the bench, then tell them my eye is killing me.” That night, Porter exited a Clippers game after four minutes for an eye issue. Porter ended with zero points and three rebounds as the Raptors lost to the Clippers 127-107.

Federal agents are also working on a college basketball investigation after seeing odd line changes. In February, SI.com revealed authorities were checking for links between the Porter group and another betting ring interested in nine college games. IC 360, once called US Integrity, found several 2024 Temple games with odd betting activity. Before Temple played UAB and lost 100-72 on March 7, 2024, the line moved to UAB -8 within just a few hours. A six-point change this quickly is generally a warning sign.

Sources told iGB that players at nearly twelve schools are being checked by investigators. Former Temple guard Hysier Miller spoke to NCAA investigators, but no charges have been filed for Miller or any other college player.

An Impending Deadline

Hennen has not been named in the college case. Court records say Hennen has until July 22 to make a plea deal with prosecutors. Hennen’s lawyer did not answer iGB’s message. Investigators say Hennen ran a network doing “fraudulent schemes” that brought in possibly millions of dollars. Federal lawyers used phone, financial, and betting records as their proof. The group used a wide set of proxies and straw bettors spread across the US. A letter from the US Attorney’s Office in January 2025 said, “The proof of his guilt is overwhelming.”

Saddled in Debt

As Beasley’s name appears in the NBA investigation, he is also a target in multiple lawsuits across the country. The Detroit News stated that Beasley owes about $8 million to creditors for unpaid bills since he started playing pro basketball. His debts include tens of thousands for rent and dentist bills, and he also owes $26,827 to Cairo Cuts, a Milwaukee barbershop.

In November 2023, Beasley agreed to a four-year marketing deal with Hazan Sports Management (HSM). Under this deal, HSM became his only agent to help him make money off his name, image, and likeness. HSM gave Beasley a $650,000 cash advance based on his expected earnings from NIL deals, court files said. Beasley stopped the contract after leaving HSM for a new agency in February. Now, HSM is suing Beasley for $2.5 million, saying he broke their agreement. HSM President Daniel Hazan chose not to discuss the case when iGB asked.

The Pistons will begin the summer league on July 11, playing against the Knicks. NBA Commissioner Silver has a press conference planned later this week to talk about the league. NBA media chief Mike Bass said to iGB that the Pistons and the NBA are working with the federal investigators. A spokesman from the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York did not give a comment.