UPDATE: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his profound concern over the recent federal indictments involving Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Speaking during a live interview at Madison Square Garden, Silver stated he was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations, underscoring the critical need for integrity within the league.
The shocking indictments were announced on Thursday, implicating Rozier, Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones among a total of 34 individuals involved in illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. Silver’s comments come as the NBA places both Rozier and Billups on immediate administrative leave as the situation unfolds.
In a candid moment, Silver revealed, “There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition. I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.” He detailed how the league’s investigation was prompted by “aberrational behavior” linked to a game played on March 23, 2023, where Rozier was competing for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Silver emphasized that the NBA initially found no rule violations following an internal inquiry, where Rozier fully cooperated with officials by providing his phone and participating in interviews. However, the gravity of the indictments suggests a deeper issue, as Silver acknowledged, “The federal government has subpoena power… they can do all kinds of things that the league office can’t do.”
The indictments detail how between December 2022 and March 2024, co-conspirators used nonpublic information to place bets on at least seven NBA games, including those involving the Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Rozier is accused of sharing insider information and manipulating his participation in games for gambling gains. According to court documents, he allegedly informed a childhood friend, Deniro Laster, of his intention to withdraw from the Hornets-Pelicans game in the first quarter due to a fabricated injury, enabling Laster to profit by selling this information to bettors.
This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of the league, as the indictment notes that hundreds of thousands of dollars were wagered based on Rozier’s actions, with many bets winning after he exited the game early, having scored just five points.
As the investigations by federal authorities continue, the NBA remains committed to transparency and cooperation. Silver reiterated the league’s ongoing partnership with the government, recognizing the urgent need to uphold the sport’s integrity.
Fans and stakeholders are left anxiously awaiting the next steps in this developing story. As the league navigates this challenging situation, the impact on players, teams, and the broader basketball community could be significant. Stay tuned for further updates as this story evolves.
