Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier have been placed on unpaid leave by the NBA following their arrests in a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, both men will have their salaries withheld and placed in escrow pending the outcome of the federal cases. The league took action on Thursday, the same day the FBI announced the arrests of over 30 individuals connected to organized crime and sports betting fraud.
The NBA has yet to issue a formal statement beyond confirming the leave status of both individuals.
Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier were arrested by the FBI on October 23, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, as part of a federal probe into illegal gambling and sports rigging. The NBA placed both men on administrative leave without pay, with their salaries held in escrow until the legal process concludes. The arrests are linked to organized crime syndicates and alleged insider betting activity involving NBA personnel.
Team Status and Allegations
- Billups is accused of operating a Mafia-linked poker ring
- Rozier allegedly used insider performance data to place illegal bets
- Both were taken into custody Thursday morning
- The NBA placed them on leave later that day
- Their 2025–26 season salaries will be withheld pending case resolution
Billups, a former NBA champion and Hall of Fame inductee, had been coaching Portland since 2021. Rozier joined the Miami Heat in 2024 and was averaging 14.2 points per game this season.
Quotes and Reactions
FBI Director Kash Patel stated:
“This is a historic arrest across a wide, sweeping criminal enterprise that envelops both the NBA and La Cosa Nostra.”
An anonymous league executive told USA Today:
“The league is taking this seriously. There’s no room for compromise when it comes to integrity.”
Fans on X expressed shock:
“Chauncey Billups? Never saw that coming.” “Rozier’s betting scandal is wild. What’s next for the Heat?”
Team Disruption and League Integrity
The absence of Billups and Rozier creates immediate challenges for their respective teams. The Trail Blazers will rely on assistant coach Scott Brooks to lead the team, while the Heat are expected to elevate rookie guard Alondes Williams to fill Rozier’s rotation spot.
Beyond roster adjustments, the scandal raises broader concerns about the NBA’s vulnerability to gambling-related misconduct. The league’s decision to withhold pay signals a zero-tolerance stance as it navigates reputational risks.
What’s Next: Legal Proceedings and NBA Actions
- Federal hearings for both men are expected in early November
- NBA investigation will run parallel to FBI proceedings
- Potential suspensions or bans could follow depending on case outcomes
- League-wide compliance reviews are underway
- Next games: Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets (Nov 1), Heat vs. Celtics (Nov 2)
The NBA is expected to issue a formal update following the initial court appearances.
Sources
- ESPN
- USA Today
- Firstpost
