The start of the 2025-26 season has been something to behold for the NBA. After an electric slate of games that included inhuman performances from the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Edwards, it looked like basketball was officially back. However, no season is complete without controversy, but this year may have included a wholly unprecedented turn of events.
Thanks to an investigation involving illegal gambling, the FBI made an arrest of NBA star Terry Rozier, as well as the then-head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups. With rigged poker games and illegal betting all involved as part of the investigation, it has marred the start of the season with an unpleasant air.
But, as uneasy as the current situation feels, the trials for the two are right around the corner.
When Will Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups Be Put on Trial?
An investigation that first became public during the offseason reached a conclusion with the addition of the legal authorities, with the two figures’ arrest a major negative for the entire sport and its image.
But the process is far from over, as an official trial will be conducted in the coming months. Providing an update on the situation, ESPN insider Shams Charania brought the latest update on what the exact timeline would look like for their cases.
Firstly, though, he broke down what the situation was like currently. “So now the league is just in the form of gathering information, seeing what’s in the indictments.”
But a big piece of the puzzle will come when, “At the end of the day, seeing what happens once everyone, Damon James, Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, all the other 25 defendants have their day in court.”
Shams: “That process will start in late November and early December for Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier who I’m told will fight this with vigor and they think this will be at least a 6 to 12 month process” pic.twitter.com/O46rz0GjHO
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) October 24, 2025
As for when fans could expect that process to get underway, Charania had a shocking revelation to make. “That process will start in late November and early December for Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier, who I’m told will fight this with vigor, and they think this will be at least a 6 to 12 month process.”
Both Billups and Rozier, along with their lawyers, have made it clear that they intend to fight these allegations in court, unwilling to plead guilty in the situation. It remains to be seen if the arrests made against them were the correct decision.
But, as Charania has indicated, that process could take close to a full year before a final verdict is reached in court.
