Rozier’s attorney spoke out to defend his client, emphasizing that Rozier is not a gambler and that they are prepared to fight the case. According to Pablo Torre, Rozier’s lawyer Jim Trusty gave the following statement:

“We have represented Terry Rozier for over a year. A long time ago, we reached out to these prosecutors to establish an open line of communication. They characterized Terry as a subject, not a target, but at 6 a.m., FBI agents attempted to arrest him at a hotel. Instead of allowing him to self-surrender, they opted for a photo op to embarrass a professional athlete.

“This approach says a lot about the motivations in this case. They appear to rely on spectacularly incredible sources rather than actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA, and these prosecutors revived that non-case. Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning it.”

Why was Rozier arrested?

Rozier was allegedly involved in suspicious betting activity after sportsbooks in several states flagged unusual movement on “under” bets for his points, rebounds, and assists during a March 2023 game. He left that contest after just 10 minutes, citing a foot injury as the reason for his early exit.

Authorities also revealed that Rozier allegedly received over $200,000 at his home after bettors cashed in on his unders. According to The Athletic: “On March 23, 2023, Rozier, while playing for the Hornets, let others close to him know that he planned to leave early with injury. Associates bet more than $200,000 on Rozier’s unders, and winnings were delivered to Rozier’s home, the indictment alleges.”

When will the case be decided?

Beyond Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested, raising questions about the fallout for both figures. According to Tim Reynolds, Rozier is scheduled to appear in federal court in Orlando later today, while Billups will appear in federal court in Oregon on the same day.

According to reports from CNBC and ABC News, Billups and Rozier were taken into custody on Thursday in connection with a federal gambling investigation. The arrests come as authorities prepare to unveil formal charges that could have significant implications for professional basketball.

NBC News reported that the incidents are unrelated. Rozier was allegedly involved in suspicious betting activity after sportsbooks in several states flagged unusual movement on “under” bets for his points, rebounds, and assists during a March 2023 game. He left that contest after just 10 minutes, citing a foot injury as the reason for his early exit.

Billups, meanwhile, was reportedly connected to an illegal poker operation linked to organized crime. Such connections could open the door to a much larger investigation into gambling-related misconduct across sports circles.

Who else has been involved in the arrests?

Authorities revealed that former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones was also charged in a related case. In total, six individuals were indicted on Thursday for allegedly turning professional basketball into an “illegal betting operation” by using inside information to place unlawful wagers, according to law enforcement sources cited by ABC News.

Additionally, Shams Charania and Pablo Torre reported that following the arrests of Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard, the situation involving Malik Beasley may not be over yet. It could resurface depending on what is revealed during the authorities’ press conference, titled “More than 30 Defendants Charged in Illegal Gambling Schemes.”

Rozier’s stance and Damon Jones’ involvement

So far, Terry Rozier has not spoken publicly about the case, but his attorney has strongly defended his client, making it clear that Rozier is not a gambler. “We have represented Terry Rozier for over a year. A long time ago, we reached out to these prosecutors to tell them we should have an open line of communication. They characterized Terry as a subject, not a target, but at 6 a.m. this morning, they called to tell me FBI agents were trying to arrest him in a hotel. It is unfortunate that instead of allowing him to self-surrender, they opted for a photo op,” Rozier’s lawyer said.

“They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case. They appear to be taking the word of spectacularly incredible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing. Terry was cleared by the NBA, and these prosecutors revived that non-case. Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight.”

On the other hand, there have been no additional public statements from Damon Jones or his representatives. However, ABC News reported that the allegations against Jones and Rozier for illegal sports gambling go beyond betting — prosecutors claim the two also provided inside information about NBA players and teams related to prop bets between 2022 and 2024.

“When you hear news like that, it’s a shift, because it’s like ‘wow,’” Adebayo said in an interview with The Miami Herald. However, staying true to the mindset he’s maintained throughout the Butler-Heat saga, Bam emphasized that the most pressing matter was the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. “I was worried about getting the win,” he explained.

The timing of Butler’s trade to Golden State coincided almost perfectly with the Miami Heat‘s matchup against the Sixers. Despite the external distraction, Erik Spoelstra’s team stayed focused and secured a crucial 108-101 victory at Wells Fargo Center, moving them up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

“I think it’s going to take a huge weight off everybody’s shoulders,” Terry Rozier commented on the news of Butler’s departure from Miami. “We can move forward, and try to put it together and get ready for the playoffs. I think it’s a huge lift for everybody, just clarity,” he added.

Rozier also acknowledged that the past few weeks had been challenging due to the persistent rumors and speculation surrounding Butler’s future. “Obviously, we’ve been the talk of the town for probably the last month,” he said. “I think it’s going to be huge for our locker room just knowing what we’ve got going out there. It’s going to be a huge help for us.”

Jovic sends emotional message to Butler

Nikola Jovic was one of the Miami Heat players who spoke most openly about Jimmy Butler’s departure. “My brother, man,” the Serbian forward began. “I’m going to miss him, for sure. I think a lot of guys here will. He’s someone who did a lot for this franchise.”

Jovic then got candid about the impact Butler had on him personally. “He’s somebody who helped me so much. I’m not sure if I would be here right now if it wasn’t for him,” he said. “I’m sad and happy in the same moment. I’m sad I’m not going to see him anymore, but I’m really happy he got what he wanted. That bag is really big, and I’m happy for him. I just wish him luck and I hope I’ll see him soon.”

When will Jimmy Butler face the Heat?

The 2024-25 NBA season is still far from over, but one game that is sure to draw attention is scheduled for March 25, when the Miami Heat will face the Golden State Warriors. This game will mark Jimmy Butler’s return to the Kaseya Center following his controversial exit from the team. It will be intriguing to see not only the reaction of his former Heat teammates but also how the Florida crowd greets the 35-year-old star.

Terry Rozier, who missed the game against Philadelphia with a foot injury, left a noticeable gap in the roster, forcing head coach Erik Spoelstra to make adjustments. While the team managed a convincing win, Rozier’s presence will be essential to strengthening Miami’s chances moving forward.

“By Sunday, I should be perfectly fine,” Rozier told the Miami Herald, reassuring fans of his availability. “It’s nothing we’re too worried about. I got an MRI to make sure everything was good.” He also noted he missed the team’s last two practices, assuring that he will be available on Friday: “I’ll be back on the court and everything’s fine. It’s just been a little agitated, that’s all.”

Rozier credited the nearly week-long break between Monday’s win and Sunday’s game for providing ample recovery time. “I knew the schedule coming up would give me a couple of days to work on it and get everything right,” the 30-year-old guard added.

Good news for Erik Spoelstra

If Rozier’s recovery progresses as expected, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will finally have the opportunity to field his top four players—Rozier, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro—together for the first time in five games. The last time the quartet shared the court was during the November 8 game against the Denver Nuggets.

The head coach understands that Miami’s ability to seriously compete in the Eastern Conference hinges on having its core players healthy and performing at their best. However, a series of setbacks, including injuries to key players, has derailed the team’s momentum, contributing to a disappointing 6-7 record so far this season.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. also on the mend

In addition to Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr. missed Monday’s game against Philadelphia due to a sprained right ankle. Spoelstra addressed the injury concerns for both players, noting the timing of the extended break has been beneficial. “This break came at a good time for both of them,” Spoelstra told the Miami Herald. “It’s never ideal to get hurt, but at least this week has given them more time for treatment and preparation to ramp back up.”

The Knicks have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the season thus far. They’ve established a defensive identity and the team has shown capable of competing vs. any team night in and night out.

And, while they’re still years away from being a legit championship contender, it’s nice to see that they’ve finally put it together and are building a strong foundation for the future of one of the most popular franchises in the world.

New York Knicks Could Trade For Terry Rozier Or Lonzo Ball

Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean that the Knicks are satisfied just yet. If anything, they’re still trying to improve their roster right now, and have made it a priority to add a starting-caliber point guard. According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, they’ve identified Terry Rozier and Lonzo Ball as their targets:

“As electric as rookie Immanuel Quickley has been, they still think he could be a sixth-man stud or start as an off-the-ball guard in the right alignment. He’s not viewed as an elite playmaker. That is why the Knicks have always kept an eye on Hornets point guard Terry Rozier and young Pelicans playmaker Lonzo Ball (who would probably be more of a summer transaction),” Berman said.

Needless to say, it would make more sense for them to go after Lonzo Ball, who’s already an elite playmaker and defensive stud and won’t be as expensive as Terry Rozier, a scoring guard with little upside.

Whatever the case may be, it seems like the New York Knicks are for real this time and it’s only a matter of time before they become a prime destination for free agents again. And let’s face it: Who wouldn’t want to play in the Madison Square Garden?