Former NBA player Ed Davis is to be arraigned on Tuesday as part of the case against Malik Beasley. Prosecutors allege that Davis loaned Beasley money before the player agreed to underperform in NBA games to repay his debts.
Davis allegedly boasted to co-conspirators that he could get Beasley to engage in spot-fixing whenever he wanted, according to the unsealed indictment.
The two players were teammates during the 2020-21 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Prosecutors say they maintained a close relationship, and Davis began loaning Beasley money.
Davis then allegedly used this as leverage to pressure Beasley into underperforming in matches, allowing bettors to wager on his prop markets for profit.
Davis, along with Beasley, is facing charges of bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud, and money laundering. The charges carry potential prison sentences of 65 years.
Beasley’s Gambling Debts Led to Spot-Fixing, Say Prosecutors
Beasley has had a range of financial difficulties. He was evicted from his Detroit apartment last year after failing to pay rent and is also being sued by his former agency over breach of contract.
Prosecutors say that despite earning tens of millions in his NBA career, he “accumulated multi-million dollar gambling losses.”
In messages with Davis, the player appeared to be struggling to pay back the money he owed. He sent a message to his former teammate saying he was “Trying to find like 2k,” adding, “I’ll do my best to pay in full on 1st.”
It was at this time that Davis appears to have introduced the idea of fixing his performance to relieve his debts and earn profits from betting.
Snapchat Used to Arrange Fixes
“Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting. Everything else they got the edge,” Davis wrote to Beasley. He then urged the conversation to move over to Snapchat for greater privacy.
DAVIS: You got Snapchat?
BEASLEY: Not really why
DAVIS: Talk to you bout some shit on there
BEASLEY: You can’t do it here?
DAVIS: Better to talk on there
DAVIS: We can make some good money
Gamblers Wagered Tens of Thousands on Beasley’s Props
After getting assurance from Beasley that he would underperform in matches, Davis informed co-conspirators, including NBA player agent Paulo Zamorano. The group then placed wagers totaling tens of thousands of dollars on Beasley’s prop markets.
Prosecutors say Beasley first agreed to underperform on his rebounds when playing for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, 2024.
Beasley finished the match with three rebounds, under the betting line of 3.5. In June last year, it was revealed that Beasley was under investigation over suspicious betting activity on his prop markets.
A surge of bets went on Beasley to record fewer than 2.5 rebounds in a match against Chauncey Billups’ Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, 2024. The odds on the “unders” moved significantly, from around +120 to around -250. However, Beasley went on to record six rebounds.
Beasley Made Rebound in Last Seconds to Win Wagers
When the Bucks took on the Clippers on March 10, Beasley promised he would overperform the betting line on his rebounds.
The line was set at 3.5, and the player had recorded three rebounds going into the final seconds. Beasley managed to grab the ball in the final play of the game to ensure the wagers won.
Prosecutors highlighted over $5,000 in wagers on Beasley to record at least four rebounds.
Co-Conspirators Implicate Davis in Messages
Following the Clippers’ game, the bettors celebrated the victory, but then turned on each other. A co-conspirator, Ernesto Plascencia, accused Zamarano of ruining the scheme. Zamarano, in turn, accused others of placing suspiciously high wagers.
Davis left the group chat with another gambler, Robert Gorodetsky, saying he was worried the messages would implicate him.
PLASCENCIA: Crazy how Paolo just ruins everything huh… You think he do that on purpose?
ZAMORANO: I ruined it? Because I’m betting all the big money huh. 2 dudes in this chat betting 30-40K a game. Movin the lines and you talking bout what I’m doing. When the feds come. Who they going to care about?
[DAVIS Leaves the Group Chat]
ZAMORANO: Ed left
GORODETSKY: lol why
ZAMORANO: To get that off his phone
Prosecutors say the scheme broke down when Beasley failed to perform as expected in a game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 21, 2024. Beasley recorded six rebounds in the match, over the betting line, which resulted in wagers on the under losing.
Beasley has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Davis is yet to comment, but will enter his plea later today. In a similar scandal involving Terry Rozier, several of those indicted have accepted plea deals. Rozier has also pleaded not guilty.
