NBA’s Adam Silver ‘Deeply Disturbed’ by Indictments of Rozier, Billups

UPDATE: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed profound concern regarding the recent federal indictments involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. In a statement made during a live interview with Amazon, Silver revealed he was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the league’s integrity.

The indictments were announced just days ago, leading to the immediate suspension of both Rozier and Billups from their respective teams. Silver highlighted his emotional reaction, stating, “There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition. And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.”

This troubling development follows an ongoing investigation into illegal sports betting that has implicated a total of 34 individuals, including Rozier, Billups, and former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones. Federal authorities allege that between December 2022 and March 2024, these individuals engaged in betting on at least seven NBA games, utilizing nonpublic information to gain an unfair advantage.

Silver detailed the origins of the investigation, noting that suspicious betting patterns emerged surrounding a game on March 23, 2023, when Rozier was playing for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans. The NBA had previously looked into Rozier’s conduct but concluded that there was insufficient evidence of a violation. Silver stated, “He cooperated with league officials… before we ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence.”

The situation escalated when Rozier allegedly communicated insider information to a childhood friend, Deniro Laster, who is also named in the indictment. According to reports, Rozier informed Laster he would exit the Hornets-Pelicans game early due to a supposed injury, allowing Laster to profit from betting on his performance. The indictment claims Laster sold this information to other bettors for approximately $100,000, resulting in substantial winnings when Rozier left the game after just nine minutes.

Silver reiterated the league’s commitment to transparency and investigation, stating, “The federal government has subpoena power… So we’ve been working with them since then.” As the situation unfolds, the NBA’s collaboration with federal authorities remains crucial in addressing the ongoing investigations.

With both Rozier and Billups placed on administrative leave, fans and analysts alike are left to ponder the implications of these serious allegations on the league’s reputation and the future of its players. The NBA confirmed it will continue to work with federal officials as the investigations progress, with many awaiting the next steps in this developing story.

As the legal proceedings evolve, the NBA community remains on edge, reflecting on the potential fallout from these indictments. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as it unfolds.