by
The hits keep on coming for Terry Rozier. Two months ago, the Heat released him from his contract — a move that likely ends his NBA career after more than a decade.
Of course, this all stems from his arrest at the end of 2025. Rozier was indicted by the FBI in a large-scale conspiracy to rig NBA betting. It’s alleged that Rozier faked an injury to purposely help outside bettors win a prop bet on his personal performance (they had bet the under on his stat totals).
This accusation was made during Rozier’s time in Charlotte. However, the Heat inherited the issue when they traded for him in 2024. Whether the Hornets knew of the issue when they made the deal is the big unknown right now… that and Rozier’s fate, obviously.
For what it’s worth, Rozier has pleaded NOT guilty to a pair of charges already — conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 10 on two brand-new charges. Keep on reading, and we’ll tell you what they are.
Two More Charges Put Rozier In A Tough Spot
Bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy — those are the two additional charges being lobbied at Rozier. These are big. Big because it changes Rozier’s role in the fraud case. The first two charges only had him as a participant in the ordeal. With these two charges, prosecutors are outright saying Rozier was paid for his role.
According to court filings, Rozier allegedly agreed to accept a $100,000 payment in exchange for removing himself from the game in question. Prosecutors say that figure was eventually negotiated down to $70,000 after at least one bettor lost money on a rebound prop.
Throwing away a multi-million-dollar NBA salary for $70,000 feels like an awful risk-toward, eh? Your above average user of sports betting apps would probably not even take that bet, not when the downside (losing your career) is so significant.
But just to offer both sides of the story, Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, says the story is made up. Speaking for his client, he said the following:
“There are some desperate men in this case with terrible criminal records and tons of exposure, and they know what to say to please these prosecutors,” said Trusty.
Elsewhere, the walls are starting to close in on Rozier. The alleged ringleader of this whole scheme, Marves Fairley, pleaded guilty to seven charges tied to the nationwide betting scheme. Prosecutors claim Fairley paid another defendant tens of thousands of dollars for information connected to Rozier. That’s notable because it gives prosecutors someone from inside the alleged operation who may now be cooperating.
That’s obviously not good for Rozier’s case. Womp womp womp.
Rozier Wants NBA Doors Left Open
Rozier isn’t just fighting the charges (and his freedom). No, he’s also fighting for his playing career.
His legal team recently asked a federal judge to modify a no-contact order that currently prevents him from communicating with current and former members of the Hornets organization. The restriction covers just about everyone imaginable — players, coaches, medical personnel, support staff, and team employees.
The defense argues that keeping the Hornets on the no-contact list could hurt Rozier’s chances of signing with another NBA team. The government recently agreed to remove members of the Heat from the restrictions, but it has refused to do the same for Charlotte.
Rozier returning to the NBA feels like a pipe dream, doesn’t it? At 32 years old and only a role player (not a star), his career was already in the downswing of things. Tack on all this baggage from the biggest NBA scandal in decades, and yeah, we doubt many teams want his declining services. Rozier has almost definitely played his last minutes in the NBA, and we’d be shocked otherwise.
Billups Case Appears Closer To Resolution
Rozier was a big name, but the bigger name a part of the scandal was Hall of Famer, Chauncey Billups. The two were arrested on the same day as part of the FBI’s broader gambling crackdown, but their cases appear to be moving in very different directions.
Billups has maintained his not-guilty plea on conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering charges tied to an alleged Mafia-backed poker scheme. If you forgot the details, a mafia — yes, the Italian ones — used him to bait people into playing rigged games of poker. Only the mob and Billups knew of the rigging, not other inspecting players.
Anyway, reports from recent court hearings indicate prosecutors have begun discussing plea deals with several defendants connected to that case. It didn’t specifically say if Billups is one of those, but it’s a real possibility.
Billups’ trial is currently scheduled for November 2026. Of course, a plea agreement would mean it never gets there, and puts somewhat of a lid on the full story getting out, as it would in a full-on court case.
This remains the most shocking story since legalized betting took root in 2018. We’ll be monitoring the situation closely, especially Rozier’s June 10 court date. Be sure to check with us for the latest updates on it!
Online betting sites 