The NBA world has been shaken by new developments surrounding the FBI’s ongoing investigation into illegal sports gambling. According to multiple reports, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have both been placed on unpaid leave as the league continues to cooperate with federal authorities.
League sources confirmed that neither Rozier nor Billups will receive compensation during their leave of absence, a decision made jointly by their respective organizations and the NBA’s legal office. The move follows a widening federal probe that has already implicated several players, coaches, and individuals with suspected ties to organized gambling operations.
Rozier’s situation became public after federal documents revealed that he allegedly shared non-public team information, including injury details and game strategies, that were later used to influence bets placed on NBA games. According to investigators, Rozier’s communications with individuals involved in the gambling ring date back to his time with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023. The investigation suggests that the information he shared may have affected betting outcomes on multiple occasions.
Chauncey Billups’ case, while connected to the broader investigation, centers around a separate illegal poker operation with alleged links to Mafia-backed groups. The longtime coach and former NBA Finals MVP was one of 31 individuals named in the federal indictment. Authorities claim that Billups participated in privately organized poker events that used advanced technology to manipulate outcomes, including hidden cameras and card-tracking devices.
The decision to place both men on unpaid leave signals a serious stance from the NBA as it navigates one of its most significant integrity challenges in years. The league has stated that it is in full cooperation with federal agencies and will withhold additional comments until the investigation concludes.
According to ESPN’s reporting, both the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers were briefed by the league office before taking action. While no final disciplinary measures have been determined, both teams were encouraged to act swiftly to preserve the league’s reputation and ensure that ongoing games remain unaffected by the scandal.
The HoopsHype report added that the unpaid leave is indefinite and could extend for several months depending on how the federal investigation unfolds. League officials have emphasized that this decision is not a suspension but rather a precautionary administrative move. However, if either Rozier or Billups are found guilty of violating NBA or federal regulations, they could face permanent bans from the league.
The situation has already cast a shadow over the early weeks of the 2025–26 season. Players and coaches around the league have been advised by team compliance departments to refrain from any form of gambling-related activity and to report any suspicious contact. Several organizations have also begun reviewing internal policies related to player conduct, betting education, and third-party affiliations.
For the Heat, Rozier’s absence creates a significant gap in their backcourt rotation. He was averaging 18 points and 5 assists through the team’s first four games of the season and had become a key contributor in Miami’s offensive system. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers face an even greater disruption, as Billups had been preparing to guide the team through an important rebuilding year. Assistant coach Scott Brooks is expected to take over interim head coaching duties while the investigation continues.
The NBA has faced integrity challenges before, but the scope of this case spanning multiple franchises, players, and even external criminal networks has raised unprecedented concerns. League commissioner Adam Silver has reiterated that the NBA remains committed to transparency and accountability, stating privately that “protecting the integrity of the game” remains the league’s top priority.
As federal investigators continue to piece together the complex web of connections between players, coaches, and organized crime figures, the futures of both Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups hang in the balance. For now, both men remain on the sidelines without pay, awaiting the outcome of an investigation that could reshape the NBA’s policies on gambling and personal conduct for years to come.
