The NBA is reeling as federal gambling charges force Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups onto unpaid leave, their multi-million dollar salaries frozen in escrow pending the outcome of their criminal cases.
In a developing story that has rocked the basketball world, both Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, will not receive their paychecks while on leaves of absence. This drastic measure comes in the wake of federal charges related to gambling, an issue that continues to challenge the integrity of professional sports.
Millions on Hold: Salaries Frozen in Escrow
Sources confirmed to ESPN that the salaries for both Rozier and Billups are being withheld and placed into escrow. This means neither individual will receive payments until the FBI cases against them are resolved. The financial implications are significant for both, with Rozier‘s salary for the current season approximately $26.6 million and Billups reportedly earning about $4.7 million with Portland.
Should Rozier be cleared of all charges and allowed to return to the NBA, he would receive his held payments in full. Both Billups and Rozier were arrested on October 23rd, and both have vehemently denied the allegations, vowing to fight the charges in court.
The Allegations: Performance Manipulation and Organized Crime Ties
The federal charges against the two prominent NBA figures stem from a multiyear investigation that spanned 11 states, resulting in the arrest of 34 individuals. These arrests were made under two separate indictments focusing on illegal betting and poker operations.
- Chauncey Billups, 49, is accused of involvement in an illegal poker operation that allegedly has connections to the mafia. Billups, a revered figure in the NBA, boasts a 17-year playing career, including a championship as Finals MVP with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. As a coach, he led the Trail Blazers to a combined 117-211 record over four seasons.
- Terry Rozier, 31, faces accusations of manipulating his on-court performance to benefit illegal wagering. Specifically, federal officials allege he conspired with associates to help them win “under” prop bets based on his statistical output in a March 23, 2023 game while he was with the Charlotte Hornets. In that game, Rozier played sparingly, leading to winning bets on him finishing “under” certain statistical totals.
A Troubling Precedent: The Jontay Porter Scandal
Rozier‘s situation draws immediate parallels to the case of former Toronto player Jontay Porter, who was banned from the league by Commissioner Adam Silver in 2024 for similar gambling-related offenses. This precedent underscores the NBA’s serious stance on maintaining integrity against the backdrop of legalized sports betting.
The NBA had previously investigated unusual wagering patterns on the Charlotte game involving Rozier in question. Prop bets were flagged and brought to the league’s attention, but the NBA, lacking federal subpoena power, did not find sufficient evidence at the time to conclude any rules were broken. This highlights a crucial difference between league investigations and federal law enforcement capabilities, as detailed by The Associated Press.
NBA Under Congressional Scrutiny
The unfolding scandal has captured the attention of lawmakers. Senator Ted Cruz, the Republican chairman of the Commerce Committee, and Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the panel, have formally requested detailed information from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Their inquiry seeks clarification on how the NBA investigated and handled these allegations, specifically questioning why Rozier was allowed to continue playing after initial flags.
In response, the NBA announced it is reviewing its protocols for handling sensitive information, such as injury reports, which are publicly available and frequently updated, to prevent future vulnerabilities.
Clarifying Rozier’s Past Tax Lien
Amidst the gambling charges, a previously reported federal lien against Terry Rozier for an alleged $8.2 million in unpaid taxes from 2021 also resurfaced. However, Rozier‘s attorney, Jim Trusty, swiftly clarified the situation.
Trusty stated that the actual amount owed to the IRS at that time was merely $9,000, not the multi-million dollar figure reported. He confirmed that the $9,000 debt has since been satisfied, though the now-defunct lien still needs to be formally removed from local courthouse records. Records also show that Rozier‘s property taxes for his home in Broward County, Florida, have been consistently paid in full each year.
The Broader Impact on the League
The charges against a prominent coach and a starting guard underscore the significant challenges the NBA faces in maintaining its integrity in an era where sports betting is increasingly mainstream. For the Trail Blazers and the Heat, the immediate future is uncertain, as both teams must navigate the absence of key personnel and the ongoing legal battles. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved for players, coaches, and the league itself when it comes to gambling-related transgressions.
