The NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have chosen to avoid any interactions with ex-player Terry Rozier, who is currently out on bail and awaiting a trial set for February. This trial involves four federal charges linked to an alleged sports corruption scheme.
According to federal prosecutors, Rozier is accused of accepting a bribe of $100,000 to intentionally underperform during a game on March 23, 2023, against the New Orleans Pelicans. During that game, he exited after just over nine minutes due to an alleged injury, which reportedly benefited gamblers who had placed bets on specific outcomes.
Neither the NBA nor the Hornets have issued public statements regarding the situation. Rozier's bail conditions prohibit him from contacting “victims or witnesses, co-defendants, or co-conspirators,” unless in the presence of legal counsel or when communicating with family about unrelated matters.
In a recent court filing, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. indicated that both the NBA and the Hornets support maintaining the no-contact clause. They argue that if Rozier were allowed to resume his career, he could encounter restricted individuals in various scenarios, such as during practices or in locker room areas.
LaMelo Ball is currently the only player from the 2022-23 Hornets roster still associated with the team, and he did not participate in the game in question. The coaching staff and front office have also undergone changes since Rozier's departure.
Rozier, who was previously with the Miami Heat when he was arrested last October, has pleaded not guilty to charges including sports bribery and money laundering. His trial is scheduled for February 8. He played five seasons in Charlotte after starting his NBA career with the Boston Celtics.
Federal prosecutors claim that Rozier has attempted to contact a potential witness through text and used an intermediary to reach out to another. In response, Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, has requested that the no-contact clause be lifted, arguing that it unfairly restricts his ability to work as an NBA player without any evidence of obstructive behavior.
In the recent filing, Nocella stated that while the government is open to removing the broad no-contact list for the Hornets, they oppose Rozier communicating with non-family witnesses without legal counsel present. The risk of witness tampering is significant, especially with the trial approaching, making it difficult for authorities to monitor.
Rozier had previously been prohibited from contacting the Miami organization until his release in April. U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall has asked the league and Rozier's former team to provide input on his request to communicate with NBA officials and Hornets personnel. Currently, Rozier remains unsigned, and an arbitrator ruled in May that he would not receive a significant portion of a $26.6 million contract for the 2025-26 season due to his bail restrictions.
Trusty emphasized in a recent court filing that the NBA and the Miami Heat have substantial financial motivations to leverage bond conditions to prevent Rozier from playing basketball.