Beasley Joins Puerto Rico's Santurce Crabbers Amid NBA Probe
Malik Beasley, a veteran NBA player, has found a new basketball home in Puerto Rico with the Santurce Crabbers. This move comes after a tumultuous period involving a federal investigation into NBA gambling activities and a separate ongoing NBA inquiry.
NBA Gambling Investigation and NBA Probe
Beasley was initially involved in a federal investigation concerning an NBA gambling scandal. His legal team announced in August that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing in the federal case. However, the NBA continues its own investigation into suspicious prop bets that allegedly occurred during the 2023-24 season.
A New Chapter in Puerto Rico
Despite these ongoing issues, Beasley is set to play basketball this season. The 29-year-old is reportedly joining the Santurce Crabbers in Puerto Rico. This team is notably owned by Bad Bunny, the internationally recognized Grammy Award-winning artist who is also slated to perform at Super Bowl 60. ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the signing.
Beasley's NBA Career So Far
A native of Atlanta, Beasley was a first-round selection, 19th overall, by the Denver Nuggets in the 2016 NBA Draft after his collegiate career at Florida State. He has since played nine seasons in the NBA for several teams, including the Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and most recently, the Detroit Pistons. Throughout his NBA tenure, Beasley has averaged 11.7 points per game, shooting 42.6% from the field and a strong 39.1% from three-point range, in an average of 23.8 minutes per contest.
A Difficult End to His Last NBA Season
Beasley's most recent NBA appearance was with the Detroit Pistons during the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. In a decisive Game 7 against the New York Knicks, he contributed 20 points, making 6 of his 13 three-point attempts and both free throws. However, the Pistons ultimately lost the elimination game. The game's critical moment came with under a second remaining when Beasley fumbled a pass from Cade Cunningham out of bounds, sealing the Pistons' defeat.
The Santurce Crabbers' season is scheduled to commence in March, offering Beasley a fresh start on the court.
