NBA rigged betting arrests: Can Chauncey Billups still coach the Portland Trail Blazers?

Chauncey Billups is at the center of a new rigged betting scandal, with the FBI revealing that the Portland Trail Blazers head coach has been charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

FBI investigation reveals Mafia-linked poker operation

In total, 32 defendants are involved in the case, which includes two separate schemes. One is a sports betting conspiracy that allegedly exploited confidential information, while the other involves a nationwide effort to rig poker games.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones were also arrested for alleged illegal gambling offences.

According to ABC News, Billups’ alleged offenses are not connected to any NBA games he has coached, but rather linked to “an illegal poker operation tied to the Mafia.”

Arrest came hours after Blazers’ season opener

Billups’ arrest reportedly came just hours after he was on the sideline for Portland’s 2025-26 NBA season opener, a 118-114 loss at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

All eyes will be on the Trail Blazers when they return to action on Friday, October 24, to face the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

Billups placed on immediate leave

Being arrested does not automatically prevent Billups from coaching, but both the NBA and the Trail Blazers have the authority to take disciplinary action. Possible measures include a suspension or even termination.

The NBA has revealed both Billups and Rozier have been placed on immediate leave by their teams, which means they won’t be involved for the foreseeable future. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and the integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the league said in a statement.

The Trail Blazers have moved assistant coach Tiago Splitter into the interim head coaching role, effective immediately.

Billups’ career with the Trail Blazers

Billups, a five-time All-Star who won the 2004 NBA Finals with the Detroit Pistons, was hired as Portland’s head coach in June 2021. In his four seasons in charge, the Trail Blazers have failed to reach the postseason and have not finished higher than fourth in the Northwest Division.

Despite his overall 117-211 record, Billups signed a two-year contract extension in April 2025, guaranteeing his deal through the end of the 2027-28 season.

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