The NBA is facing one of its most serious off-court crises in years, as the league grapples with a growing sports betting scandal that now includes current players, a head coach, and a former player with notable ties to the game’s biggest stars.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player Damon Jones are all reportedly under legal scrutiny for their alleged involvement in illegal gambling activities. According to recent developments, all three have had parts of their salaries withheld by their respective teams as investigations unfold, and the details emerging are troubling.
Let’s start with Billups. According to reports, the former Finals MVP and current Blazers coach is the only one among the trio who is taking his case to trial.
Allegedly, Billups was paid $50,000 for his involvement in a betting-related event tied to a 2019 game in Las Vegas. He has entered a plea of “Not Guilty” and intends to fight the charges in court.
That decision puts him on a legal island, as both Rozier and Jones appear to be taking different routes.
Rozier, the Heat guard known for his scoring punch and fearless play, has been implicated in the broader scandal involving former Raptors forward Johntay Porter. That case centers on illegal prop betting, and Rozier is reportedly tied to that operation.
While his legal fate remains uncertain, the consequences from the league could be just as severe. If the allegations are proven true, Rozier could face a lifetime ban from the NBA-effectively ending his career.
Then there’s Damon Jones, a former NBA guard who spent time with multiple teams, most notably alongside LeBron James in Cleveland. Jones is said to have used that close relationship to share inside information with associates, allegedly to influence betting outcomes on specific Lakers games. He’s reportedly involved in both the Rozier and Billups-related cases and is currently in talks for a plea deal.
The charges Jones is facing are steep: conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Each charge carries a potential 20-year sentence, meaning Jones could be looking at up to 40 years if convicted on both counts. The same goes for Billups, should his trial not go in his favor.
This situation cuts deep into the heart of the league’s growing relationship with legalized sports betting. The NBA has embraced gambling partnerships in recent years, opening the door to new revenue streams and fan engagement opportunities. But with that embrace comes risk-and we’re now seeing what happens when those risks turn into real-world consequences.
The league has yet to issue formal statements or disciplinary actions, likely waiting for the legal process to play out. But make no mistake: the implications here are massive. A current head coach, an active player, and a former player all being implicated in betting-related scandals is the kind of moment that forces a league to reckon with its policies, its culture, and its future.
This isn’t just about three individuals making poor choices. It’s about the integrity of the game, the trust of the fans, and the message the NBA sends moving forward. The fallout is still unfolding, but one thing is clear-this story is far from over.