Rumors

As federal prosecutors continue to investigate possible illegal sports gambling on NBA games, they are looking into additional games beyond the seven contests named in a Department of Justice indictment this fall.

New York Times

“The government has ongoing investigations,” David Berman, an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, said in court last week. “And our understanding is the defendant has conducted himself in similar manners in other instances as well.” It is not known how many games are being investigated, or if there are other NBA players who may be implicated.

New York Times

Timothy McCormack, a self-proclaimed gambling addict, received a two-year prison sentence Wednesday as he became the first defendant to be sentenced for his role in a sweeping conspiracy involving NBA players Terry Rozier and Jontay Porter.

ESPN

Barry Jackson: Per source, one reason why the NBA hasn't terminated Rozier contract and given Miami cap space (unlike what it did with J. Porter) is the league has not been given access to whatever evidence the feds have in their charges against Rozier. So NBA has no evidence to overturn its previous conclusion that Rozier did nothing wrong. Heat operating under belief it can trade him as a cap facilitator.

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In a legal document made public Tuesday, Jim Trusty, Rozier's attorney, argues that the federal government failed to clearly state Rozier's offense in the indictment and is trying to "enforce its view of integrity in sports wagering." "The government has billed this case as involving 'insider betting' and 'rigging' professional basketball games," Trusty, a partner at Ifrah Law, wrote. "But the indictment alleges something less headline-worthy: that some bettors broke certain sportsbooks' terms of use."

ESPN

MrBuckBuck: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver message to fans worried about the game's integrity: “My message is the integrity is absolutely solid… I understand from a fan's standpoint that there is nothing more important than the integrity of the game.”

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Shams Charania: The NBA is enacting several sports betting policies to its 30 teams, including changing injury reporting rules: Teams now will be required to resubmit injury listings on game day between 11 am and 1 pm local time and update public reports every 15 minutes, sources tell ESPN.

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Shams Charania: NBA is also pushing gaming companies for changes to prop bets involving individual players, such as: - limiting maximum amount that can be bet - limitations on "unders" - limiting population of players - eliminating problematic bet types, like bets on an action on a single play

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Oh No He Didn't: Shams: "A source told me that Chauncey Billups will be pleading not guilty to the illegal sports betting charges"

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Multiple NBA stars have been outspoken about fans’ messages that “crossed the line.” New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson recently said he’s been sent “some pretty messed up sh–. The worst things you’re thinking of, it’s worse than that.” In The Athletic’s Anonymous NBA Player Poll this year, roughly one-third of the league — 150 of the 158 players polled — shared their opinions about sports gambling with our writers. “I get 10 messages, DMs (direct messages) a game, (saying), ‘F— you, I’m gonna f— your family up,” one player said. “I personally hate gambling. Hate everyone talking about parlays this, parlays that. I hate getting DMs in my Instagram talking about, ‘You f—– up my parlay.’ I hate people sending me threats because I messed up their parlay,” another said.

New York Times

“NBA players compete at the highest level with the utmost integrity and are concerned that prop bets have become an increasingly alarming source of player harassment, both online and in person,” a spokesperson for the NBA players’ union said in August. “If tighter regulations can help minimize that abuse, then we support taking a closer look at them.” Several players said the NBA was engaging in a clear conflict of interest. How can the league constantly promote gambling, then not expect players to engage in the activity, one player asked. “I feel like anytime you click on TV or NBA TV, you always see something about spreads or gambling. As you know, some players have had problems with it. I feel like it’s kind of antagonizing players to think about it, and also, I think it’s a conflict of interest for the NBA, too. So, I think it’s bad,” another said.

New York Times

Jimmy Butler was confronted this week by one very angry sports bettor. Video circulated online Sunday of the Golden State Warriors star Butler getting accosted by a bettor as he was walking down a local street while wearing earbuds and carrying a cup of coffee. The video, which was filmed from the car of the bettor in question, showed the bettor calling out Butler (who was wearing a green outfit at the time) as a “f–king green apple-looking a–.” Butler then turned around and began walking towards the bettor’s car as the bettor continued to accost him with profanities. The video then cut to the bettor saying that he supposedly put $3,000 on Butler. He then went on to call the six-time All-Star Butler a “b—h” and tell him, “You work for Vegas!” You can see the video at the link here (but obviously watch out for the bad language). It is unclear when exactly the video was filmed, but the Warriors are currently in the middle of a six-game road trip.

Larry Brown Sports

As a result of the charges filed against Damon Jones, a former NBA player and LeBron James’ former shooting coach who had special access to the Lakers, Wachtell investigators are expected to seek documents, including cell phones and phone records, from at least 10 Lakers employees, league sources told The Athletic. Per league sources, Lakers assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims are among the employees who are already cooperating and who voluntarily handed their cell phones over to investigators.

New York Times

The NBA has asked multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, to hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling, six league sources told The Athletic. The league, under scrutiny from Congress, is seeking new information based on the federal charges brought last month by the Department of Justice.

New York Times