Malik Beasley made $60 million in his NBA career. Yet somehow, it’s coming up that he couldn’t pay his barber or his dentist.
It sounds like the start of a bad joke, but it’s not. It’s part of a real and messy situation that’s landed Beasley at the center of a federal gambling investigation. Just weeks ago, the 27-year-old guard seemed poised to land a $42 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. Then came the announcement from the U.S. District Attorney’s office: Beasley was under scrutiny for suspicious prop bets tied to his time with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season.
Now he’s not just looking for a team, he’s trying to avoid becoming the next Jontay Porter.
Debt, Lawsuits, And A Whole Lot Of Trouble For Beasley
Before the feds came knocking, Beasley had already attracted attention in courtrooms for all the wrong reasons.
According to The Detroit News, the veteran guard had racked up a laundry list of debts that paint a very different picture from the life of luxury most associate with NBA stars. One lawsuit came from a celebrity barber in Milwaukee, who sued Beasley and won a $26,827 judgment. A Minnesota dentist also went after him and secured a $34,390 paycheck garnishment.
Malik Beasley is in debt and owes a lot of people money https://t.co/0Q7bnfno3F via @detroitnews pic.twitter.com/wBUFH0Zzjc
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 2, 2025
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It didn’t stop there. A Detroit-based apartment management company repeatedly tried to collect back rent from him. Meanwhile, a New York firm that lends money to athletes sued Beasley for $5.8 million, alleging he defaulted on a contract advance. And just to top it off, another management group in NYC is currently pursuing him for $2.25 million over breach of contract.
Beasley hasn’t been convicted of anything yet. But if anyone was wondering what could’ve pushed him toward risky territory, these court filings offer some clarity.
The NBA has worked to prevent this kind of downfall. Its financial literacy programs aim to help players avoid the fate outlined in ESPN’s 30 for 30 doc Broke, which highlighted how pro athletes can blow through fortunes in a flash. But ultimately, it’s up to the individual. And for Beasley, the financial and otherwise decisions have come under harsh scrutiny.
For now, he remains unsigned. And until the legal dust settles, it looks like he’ll stay that way.
