Just a week ago, the NBA was hit by a massive betting scandal during its opening week. Miami’s Terry Rozier and Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested by the FBI.
Rozier was investigated for his alleged involvement in a March 2023 sports betting case. Billups was allegedly linked to an illegal poker ring with ties to the Mafia. On Wednesday, October 29, NBA insider Shams Charania announced that Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups would be suspended for the 2025-26 season. Their salaries will be held in escrow pending the outcome of the investigation.
Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups suspended for 2025-26 season
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups will not receive salary while absent from the team, sources told ESPN. Both of their paychecks are expected to be withheld and held in escrow pending the outcome of the FBI case.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 29, 2025
Last week, the FBI arrested six people. Among them are Miami’s Terry Rozier, Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former Cavaliers assistant Damon Jones. They were arrested in separate but related illegal gambling cases. According to reports, the men are accused of “using insider information to make illegal bets and turning professional basketball into a criminal gambling operation.”
On Wednesday, October 29, NBA insider Shams Charania announced that Rozier and Billups will not receive salary during their vacation. This is a procedural step for the league, which noted that no party has yet been formally charged. In the 2025-26 season, Terry Rozier is worth $26.6 million with the Heat. If Rozier is cleared and able to play again, he will receive the full amount of his withheld salary.
Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups reportedly not expected to receive salary while out @ShamsCharania
Their salaries will reportedly be held in escrow until the FBI investigation is resolved. pic.twitter.com/MbDjXfwVo2
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 29, 2025
Federal investigators accuse Terry Rozier of providing inside information about his health to friends. That person then sells this information to bettors who are able to make a profit. On March 23, 2023, Terry Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. That night, Terry Rozier left the game early, citing injury. Bettors who placed bets on Rozier’s prop that night easily won the bet. After that game, Rozier claimed he injured his foot and did not return for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has been arrested for his alleged involvement in an illegal poker ring. After Billups was arrested, he was suspended from the NBA. The Trail Blazers named Thiago Splitter interim head coach. Billups is a celebrity player who can help attract other gamblers to gambling. His case was considered “minor” compared to what Terry Rozier was about to go through. Currently, both Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are suspended without pay.
