The 2025-26 NBA season just tipped off, and it’s already being overshadowed by bombshell news regarding arrests made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of alleged illegal gambling schemes. On Thursday morning, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was one of several people arrested, although his case was separate from Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier, who was also arrested as part of the illegal gambling investigation. Per ESPN, “Billups’ arrest…was made as part of a separate but related illegal gambling case linked to an illegal poker operation tied to the mafia.” Billups, selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, is in his fifth season as Trail Blazers head coach and has a 117-212 (.356) record. Portland lost its opener to the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-0), 118-114, on Wednesday. Rozier sat the Heat’s opening loss to the Orlando Magic via coach’s decision. San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama’s 40-poi
