Former NBA player Ed Davis is scheduled to be arraigned today in connection with an ongoing case involving Malik Beasley, also a former NBA player. Prosecutors allege that Davis provided Beasley with loans and subsequently pressured him to deliberately underperform in games to repay his debts.
According to the indictment, Davis claimed he could manipulate Beasley into engaging in spot-fixing as needed. The two were teammates with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020-21 season, during which Davis allegedly lent Beasley significant sums of money. Davis is said to have exploited this financial relationship to push Beasley into underperforming, allowing bettors to take advantage of the betting lines on Beasley’s performance.
Both Davis and Beasley face serious charges, including bribery in sporting contests, wire fraud, and money laundering, which could result in a cumulative prison sentence of 65 years.
Beasley's financial troubles have been well documented. He was evicted from his Detroit apartment last year due to unpaid rent and is currently facing a lawsuit from a former agency for breach of contract. Despite having earned millions throughout his NBA career, prosecutors indicate that Beasley has incurred multi-million dollar gambling debts.
In messages exchanged with Davis, Beasley expressed difficulty in repaying his loans, revealing a sense of desperation. He texted Davis about needing around $2,000 and assured him he would try to repay in full by the 1st of the month. It was during these discussions that Davis allegedly suggested that fixing his performance could relieve Beasley of his debt while generating profits from bets.
Davis advised Beasley, "Only way you can beat Vegas is sports betting," and recommended moving their conversation to Snapchat for added privacy. He stated, "We can make some good money," suggesting that they could profit from Beasley’s underperformance.
After gaining Beasley's agreement to underperform, Davis informed co-conspirators, including NBA agent Paulo Zamorano, about the plan. They proceeded to place substantial bets on Beasley’s props. For instance, during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, 2024, Beasley agreed to underperform on rebounds, finishing with only three, below the betting line of 3.5.
However, during another match against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, 2024, Beasley’s performance contradicted their arrangement. Although heavy betting had gone on him to record fewer than 2.5 rebounds, he managed to achieve six rebounds instead.
In a separate game on March 10 against the Clippers, he was expected to exceed the betting line of 3.5. After recording three rebounds with only seconds left in the game, he secured a final rebound that led to a win for the bettors.
Following the Clippers' game, tension arose among the co-conspirators, with accusations flying regarding who was responsible for the plan’s failure. Communications revealed that Davis worried about being implicated in the conspiracy and exited the group chat with another gambler, Robert Gorodetsky, when discussions intensified.
Prosecutors assert that the scheme began to unravel when Beasley underperformed against the Brooklyn Nets on March 21, 2024, registering six rebounds, which contradicted the betting line. While Beasley has pleaded not guilty to the charges, Davis has yet to make a public statement on the allegations and is expected to enter his plea later today. Several individuals involved in similar illegal betting arrangements, such as Terry Rozier, have chosen to accept plea deals, while Rozier himself has also pleaded not guilty.
