NBA free agent guard Malik Beasley has officially joined the Santurce Crabbers, a Puerto Rican basketball team partly owned by musician Bad Bunny, according to ESPN’s report on Friday. Beasley signed the contract in preparation for the upcoming Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, which is set to begin in March. This move marks Beasley’s first professional basketball involvement since the NBA suspended his activity amid ongoing investigations.
Background: Beasley’s NBA Absence Linked to Gambling Investigation
Beasley has not appeared in any NBA games this season after a strong 2024-25 campaign with the Detroit Pistons. During that season, his performance earned him recognition, but he also became entangled in an investigation concerning gambling and placing prop bets on NBA games. Due to these allegations, no NBA team has signed him despite his previous impressive on-court contributions.
His lone season with the Detroit Pistons saw him play all 82 games, averaging 16.3 points per game with 41.6% accuracy on three-point shooting. His efforts earned him a runner-up position in the Sixth Man of the Year voting, and the Pistons were reportedly prepared to offer him a three-year contract worth $42 million in the summer. However, those plans changed as his legal and league issues unfolded.
Fan Reactions Mix Support and Skepticism Ahead of New Season
As Beasley prepares to play for Bad Bunny’s team, fans have expressed a wide range of opinions online. Some appreciate the musical artist’s influence and express excitement for Beasley’s new chapter:
“Bad bunny got more motion than these NBA players 🤦🏻♂️” a fan said.
“It’s Bad Bunny’s world and we’re all just living in it,” another fan commented.
“Malik said NBA don’t want me? Bet. I’ll hoop for Bad Bunny and still drop 25 a night,” one fan said.
However, a number of comments remain critical, focusing on Beasley’s unresolved gambling issues:
“From the NBA to playing for a pop star because you can’t stop betting on your own stats,” someone commented.
“That’s wild he could fs help a playoff team rn. That gambling stuff must be pretty bad..” a comment read.
“Malik Beasley going from NBA investigations to hooping on Bad Bunny’s team in Puerto Rico? 😭🔥” one fan commented.
Legal Representation Highlights Ongoing Investigations and Challenges
In August 2025, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Malik Beasley is no longer the primary focus of the federal gambling investigation, but no official resolution has been announced. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed in September that Beasley remains under investigation by both league and federal authorities. Steve Haney, Beasley’s attorney, described the situation as largely performative and expressed frustration with the process.
“It’s a charade,” Haney told Joe Vardon and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic on Friday. “It’s an utter joke that they’re acting as if they’re investigating with any possibility that they’re going to ‘clear’ Malik when they know that they already went through this process and failed with Rozier, and they don’t want to have that happen again with Malik.”
These ongoing inquiries have made teams hesitant to sign Beasley, complicating his professional future and putting further uncertainty around his career trajectory.
Implications for Beasley’s Career and the Broader Basketball Landscape
Malik Beasley’s transition to the Santurce Crabbers highlights the impact of off-court investigations on talented players’ careers. His absence from the NBA leaves a visible gap, especially given his recent contributions on the court. Joining Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico team offers him a chance to maintain his competitive edge and visibility, but the legal cloud still looms large.
The Puerto Rican league may provide Beasley with a platform for rebuilding his reputation and showcasing his skills, but the unresolved investigations continue to challenge his prospects for returning to the NBA. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Beasley adapts to this new environment and whether he can eventually rejoin the NBA spotlight.
This gives Beasley the opportunity to play for Bad Bunny's team in Puerto Rico and showcase ahead of 2026 free agency as he awaits a ruling on his NBA investigation. Beasley averaged 16.3 points in all 82 games for the Pistons last season, setting a franchise-record 319 3s. https://t.co/7rKmS5VMdq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 13, 2026
It’s Bad Bunny’s world and we’re all just living in it
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) February 13, 2026
Malik said NBA don't want me? Bet. I'll hoop for Bad Bunny and still drop 25 a night.
Y'all clowning but this man about to live his best life in PR while the league plays games.
Who actually lost here?— HIGHBEE 🖖🎭 (@HighbeeNation1) February 13, 2026
That’s wild he could fs help a playoff team rn. That gambling stuff must be pretty bad..
— ⭐️🚨 (@HoodiiLuka) February 13, 2026
Malik Beasley going from NBA investigations to hooping on Bad Bunny’s team in Puerto Rico? 😭🔥
That’s the ultimate plot twist—trading league drama for island vibes, reggaeton courtside, and Santurce Crabs jerseys. Bad Bunny really said “come get this bag and this energy” 😂…
— Shobha Verma (@theshobhaverma) February 13, 2026
