The NBA has been rocked by an alleged illegal gambling scandal that resulted in the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones on Thursday.
Federal authorities say Billups was involved in fixing high-stakes poker games run by the Mafia, while Rozier took part in a separate scheme, providing confidential information about NBA athletes and teams to co-conspirators who placed fraudulent bets. Jones was charged with involvement in both schemes.
“The fraud is mind-boggling,” FBI Director Kash Patel told reporters. “We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation.”
The NBA has placed Billups and Rozier on leave. More than 30 people were arrested in Thursday’s operation.
Stephen A. Smith: ‘This Is Just the Tip of the Iceberg’
During ESPN’s “First Take,” analyst Stephen A. Smith offered a stark warning about the investigation’s political implications, suggesting President Donald Trump may target the WNBA next.
“How many times, for one incident after another, have I said, ‘Trump is coming.’ He’s coming,” Smith said. “I’m going to say it on national television again. Bad Bunny is performing at the Super Bowl, and all of a sudden you’re hearing ICE is going to be there looking to engage in mass deportations. The Super Bowl, disrupting things. Big night for the NBA, [Victor] Wembanyama put on a show, that has now been smeared because we’re talking about this story.”
"Trump is coming. He's coming…Anybody that has seen his reactions from the sports leagues and the positions that people have taken, they are not surprised at what's going on today…this is just the tip of the iceberg" – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/gngy9qbPIG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 23, 2025
Smith referenced Trump’s history in the casino business as context for the president’s interest in sports gambling investigations.
“Remember, Trump has a long, long history connected to the world of sports because he had those casinos,” Smith said. “Where do you think folks were coming half the time? I’m not talking about individuals, I’m talking about the culture. When people want to go to a casino, when people want to gamble, when people want to party, or whatever the case may be. This was his kind of connection to that.”
Smith continued: “Don’t be surprised if the WNBA is next on his list. Because when you got all of these protests that have been going out there and people that have been protesting against him and what have you, this man is coming. He’s coming. And I’ve been saying it for a long time. And to me, this is the latest nugget of evidence that we’re talking about right here.”
Smith emphasized that professional sports leagues anticipated increased scrutiny from the Trump administration.
“I’m watching a press conference with the director of the FBI. Tell me when we’ve seen that?” Smith noted. “We’ve seen accusations before, we’ve seen athletes get in trouble with the law before. You don’t see the director of the FBI having a press conference. It’s not coincidental. It’s not an accident. It’s a statement and it’s a warning that more is coming.”
The ESPN analyst suggested the investigation reflects Trump’s mindset following his own legal troubles.
“In his eyes, folks trying to throw him in jail. In his eyes, he’s innocent, they’re trying to put me behind bars. I’m getting everybody. He’s not playing,” Smith said.
Smith concluded with a warning that Thursday’s arrests represent only the beginning.
“It’s very disheartening. It’s very concerning. We don’t know where this is going to go, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Everybody better brace themselves.”
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Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant ... More about Matt Higgins