The Portland Trail Blazers have confirmed that they will not be compensating their coach, Chauncey Billups, during his current leave of absence from the team. This decision comes in light of Billups' recent legal troubles, as reported by two sources familiar with the matter to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Last week, Billups was indicted in federal court on two serious charges: money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy. These allegations stem from a comprehensive investigation by law enforcement, which claims that Billups exploited his status as a former Hall of Fame player to lure gamblers into a rigged underground poker game.
Following his arrest at his home in Lake Oswego, the NBA placed Billups on immediate leave. He is now required to secure a significant bond with the federal court in the Eastern District of New York, where his case will be tried. Notably, during this period, Billups will forfeit his substantial salary, which was approximately $4.7 million last season.
When approached for comments regarding Billups' suspension and salary, the Trail Blazers directed inquiries to the NBA office. Reports from ESPN indicate that neither Billups nor another player, Rozier, will receive pay while under suspension. While Rozier's salary will be held in escrow pending the outcome of his proceedings, Billups does not have a similar arrangement for his salary.
Billups, who recently signed a three-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season, faces serious repercussions from this indictment. The charges against him are part of a larger case that includes 34 individuals across 11 states, involving tens of millions of dollars. Prosecutors allege that Billups was directly involved in a scheme featuring rigged poker games that included former professional athletes, who allegedly deceived gamblers out of substantial sums of money.
Additionally, Billups is reportedly linked to another case involving a sports-betting scheme that allegedly included the distribution of insider information regarding NBA games. Although his name did not directly appear in this case, he is identified as "Co-Conspirator 8," raising further concerns about his involvement.
Since being hired in 2021, Chauncey Billups was expected to lead the Trail Blazers to a deep playoff run with a veteran team. However, due to a series of injuries and trades, the team has entered a lengthy roster rebuild. Billups, who had never served as a head coach before joining Portland, has a coaching record of 117-212 over four seasons.
Despite the challenges, the Blazers entered the current season with renewed hope, aiming for success rather than merely accumulating lottery picks. However, Billups only managed to coach one game this season before his arrest. According to his attorney, he intends to vigorously contest all charges against him.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Chauncey Billups and the Portland Trail Blazers. If Billups is ultimately exonerated, there may be a pathway for him to recover some of his lost salary, though the road ahead appears complex and fraught with challenges.
