Silver Says NBA is Taking Gambling Scandal Seriously, May Check Out

LAS VEGAS (AP) - It is crucial for the NBA to be perceived as having integrity, Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday, adding that the betting scandals that caused the arrests of Miami guard Terry Rozier, Portland coach Chauncey Billups and others are being taken with the utmost severity.

Silver's remarks in a news conference soon before the start of the NBA Cup last were his first given that Rozier, Billups and others were arrested in October. He spoke in Las Vegas, a gambling mecca that the league has utilized for major occasions like the Cup last and Summer League for some time.

"I believe the fans care a lot," Silver stated. "It ´ s hard to make judgments, either anecdotally over what some fans are stating or what ´ s even on social networks. Fans definitely care. And I imply it when I state, if this video game isn ´ t deemed being sincere and the competitors being on the level and at the greatest integrity, gradually we will lose our fan base. I believe about that. Therefore, I take it exceptionally seriously."

The NBA is uncertain how long the investigations and legal processes surrounding gaming charges dealt with by Rozier, Billups - a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee - and others will require completed, Silver said.

But the league will look into the of giving Miami some sort of "satisfactory relief" due to the fact that Rozier currently can ´ t play, Silver included, though he stopped short of stating such a move would be possible.

"This is an unprecedented scenario," Silver said.

Miami Heat's Terry Rozier, right, leaves Brooklyn federal court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in New york city. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

It ´ s a multi-layered problem for the league and the Heat, provided that Rozier ´ s$26.6 million wage takes up about 17 % of the group ´ s cap space - which the team still owes Charlotte a first-round choice in either 2027 or 2028 to please the regards to the trade that brought Rozier to Miami. It ´ s uncertain who was mindful that Rozier was under federal investigation when the Heat made the trade with the Hornets.

Rozier pleaded not guilty previously this month to wire fraud and cash laundering conspiracy charges stemming from allegations that he assisted some good friends win bets that revolved around his statistical efficiency in a video game played in March 2023, when he was with Charlotte. Rozier is totally free on $3 million bond and isn ´ t anticipated back in court until March, and he stays on unsettled leave from the Heat.

Prosecutors state Rozier notified the wagerers that he planned to leave the game against the New Orleans Pelicans early with a supposed injury, permitting bettors to position wagers making them tens of countless dollars. Rozier played the first 9 minutes and 36 seconds of the video game before leaving, pointing out a foot issue. He did not play once again that season and was subsequently traded to the Heat.

Rozier isn ´ t getting his pay, however his salary is still on the Heat ´ s books and is being sent out to an interest-bearing account pending resolution of his case or some other contract.

"We ´ re going to try to work something through, work this out with them," Silver said. "But there ´ s no obvious solution here. I would simply say that there ´ s no doubt at the minute they have a gamer that can ´ t perform services for them. ... Obviously, he hasn ´ t been founded guilty of anything yet either - but this is an unfortunate circumstance. Sometimes there ´ s these distinct events and perhaps sometimes they need a special service."

Billups likewise pleaded not guilty last month to charges associated with a separate scheme to repair high-stakes, Mafia-backed poker video games. Rozier, Billups and former NBA guard Damon Jones were amongst more than 30 people - including several Mafia figures - jailed in October as part of a sprawling federal takedown of unlawful gaming operations connected to professional sports.

The league needs yearly training for players, coaches and staff about what's allowed and what isn't enabled regarding gaming, which is now legal in most states. Silver notoriously promoted legalization of sports wagering in an op-ed he composed for The New York Times in 2014.

The situations with Rozier and Billups have actually resulted in a quest for even heightened awareness, Silver stated. The league is likewise looking at how best to guarantee prop bets based entirely on a player's statistical efficiency - like the ones made on Rozier ´ s March 2023 game - can be executed fairly.

"We ´ ve been redoubling our efforts at the league office, working with our teams, taking a look at every element of our guidelines around sports betting," Silver stated. "Are there better ways to educate the individuals? Are there changes we should make in how injuries are reported? ... We're in the process as I stated today and working with our teams thinking of anything else we can be doing, if there ´ s any aspect of our system that requires to be shored up."