NBA and Hornets Urge Court to Keep Terry Rozier Contact Ban in Gambling Probe
Posted on: June 22, 2026, 06:56h.
Last updated on: June 22, 2026, 06:56h.
- The NBA and Charlotte Hornets are urging federal prosecutors to keep Terry Rozier’s bond restrictions in place as his gambling-related court case continues
- The restrictions prevent Rozier from contacting current and former Hornets players and staff while the federal investigation moves forward
- The league and team argue the contact ban is necessary because a potential NBA return could put Rozier around restricted individuals in team settings
The NBA and Charlotte Hornets told federal prosecutors in the gambling court case involving Terry Rozier to push federal court to uphold bond restrictions against the former NBA guard that is prohibiting him from contacting current and former members of the Hornets.
Bond Restrictions
That bond restriction has blocked Rozier from resuming his NBA career as he awaits his trial, scheduled for Feb. 8, 2027, over four charges related to alleged NBA gambling and insider information trading.
Rozier has been at the centre of the gambling allegations since his arrest last October on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The alleged sport betting scheme was tied to a game in March 23, 2023, when Rozier was a member of the Hornets, playing the New Orleans Pelicans.
Trial Date Set
Prosecutors allege that Rozier tipped off associates, including gamblers, that he would leave the game early, allowing bettors to wager and cash in the under for his player props.
Rozier pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Then, in May, prosecutors expanded the case and added sports bribery and wire fraud conspiracy changes, alleging he accepted $100,000 to take part in the scheme.
Rozier has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.
11-Year NBA Career
Rozier is just 32, with an 11-year NBA career that started in Boston with the Celtics in 2015-15, carried through to Charlotte, followed by two seasons in Miami (he didn’t play last season after his arrest, and was released by the Heat in April). Rozier has averaged 13.9 points per game over his career, and is viewed as a legitimate rotation guard in the NBA. He averaged 21.1 points per game in 2022-23 and 23.2 points per game with the Hornets in 2023-24.
He would be appealing to NBA teams needing secondary ball handling and bench scoring, and would no doubt sign for a discount deal.
However the public relations risk for a team signing him is the biggest obstacle, even if he is legally cleared, especially considering how deeply intertwined the NBA and individual teams are with sportsbooks and gambling.
$26.6 Million Contract
Prosecutors said an NBA return would put Rozier in regular proximity to restricted individuals during team activities, including shootarounds, treatment sessions and other behind-the-scenes areas.
An arbitrator in May ruled that Rozier should not receive the majority of a $26.6 million contract he had with the Heat for the 2025-26 season because his bail conditions meant he couldn’t fulfill his contractual obligations.
Rozier and his lawyers have argued the bail conditions are unfairly punitive and prevent him from pursuing his chosen profession.
Bribery Accusations
“The NBA and the Miami Heat have 26 million reasons to try to use bond conditions as a disqualification for Terry Rozier from playing basketball,” Rozier’s lawyer Jim Trusty wrote in a court filing last week.
“Even before it was granted the title of ‘victim’ by way of a superseding indictment’s shift to Private Honest Services Fraud, the league was imploring federal prosecutors to banish Mr. Rozier from contact with anyone in the NBA. As evidenced by the Government’s letter to the Court filed late last night, the philosophical tenets of the Bail Reform Act are being side-stepped by the Government, with tremendous cost to Mr. Rozier’s ability to pursue employment during the pendency of this case.”
Rozier and his lawyers have asked the court to remove those bond restrictions. The court decision on whether Rozier’s release conditions will be modified is expected this summer.
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