Terry Rozier entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday regarding charges of sports bribery. Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall has requested input from the NBA concerning the former player's eligibility to reach out to his former team, the Charlotte Hornets.
The NBA's stance on Rozier's future in the league remains uncertain. During a status conference held in the Eastern District of New York, Judge Hall expressed her desire for the league's perspective before making a decision on whether Rozier, who faces accusations of soliciting and accepting a $100,000 bribe while manipulating his performance for bettors in 2023, can communicate with the Hornets about potential opportunities.
Rozier, who was with Charlotte at the time of the alleged misconduct, reportedly underperformed and left a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023, to fulfill several prop bets.
Currently, Rozier is prohibited from contacting the Hornets, following his not guilty plea to the bribery charges filed in late May. His legal team is advocating for him to be allowed to engage with the Charlotte front office, despite him not having played in the NBA since the 2024-2025 season.
Federal prosecutor Kaitlin T. Farrell indicated that the NBA may prefer Rozier remain inactive, although the league has not made any official statements. Rozier has also pleaded not guilty to charges of honest services fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, with a trial scheduled for February 8.
Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, criticized the NBA for undermining the presumption of innocence, asserting that the league is attempting to portray itself as a victim while seeking to prevent Rozier from playing basketball.
In January 2024, Charlotte traded Rozier to Miami, where he received a $26.6 million salary for the 2025-2026 season, despite being placed on leave by the NBA following his October arrest. An arbitrator later determined that he must forfeit a significant portion of that salary due to violations of his pre-trial release conditions.
Although federal prosecutors have permitted Rozier to communicate with Miami's players and staff since his release in April, restrictions regarding contact with the Hornets remain in effect.