The NBA gambling scandal has taken a shocking new turn that has left fans and insiders reeling.

Many have wondered why a high-earning player like Terry Rozier, making $24 million a year, would risk everything for a small prop bet payoff.

After all, players with that kind of salary are supposed to be immune to these temptations.

But recent revelations have uncovered the disturbing reasons behind Rozier’s involvement — and what the NBA did afterward might be even worse.

If these reports are true, the league’s handling of the situation could make them look ten times worse than before.

Let’s rewind to Rozier’s story.

Unlike Jonte Porter, who earns a modest $400K and might be tempted by shady offers, Rozier’s case is baffling.

The FBI has now revealed who his partner in crime was — a close childhood friend named Dairo Lester.

Growing up playing sports together, Lester approached Rozier with a tempting offer: insider information for a payday.

A man had called Lester promising $100,000 if he could get valuable tips.

Rozier probably thought, “It’s late in the season, just a couple of games left, what’s one fake injury?”

He agreed to help, thinking he could hook up his friend with a quick payday without consequences.

That one bad decision would spiral into a nationwide illegal gambling network.

Lester passed the info to a shady gambler named Marvis Bailey, who then orchestrated bets totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Shane Hannon placed $61,200 on Rozier’s unders, while others bet tens of thousands more, spreading the scandal far and wide.

Rozier’s actions made it easy for authorities to catch the operation — betting $200,000 on a single Thursday Hornets game was a glaring red flag.

Contrary to some lazy reports, Rozier didn’t personally pocket $200,000.

The FBI confirms Lester received tens of thousands, probably around $20,000, which he delivered to Rozier’s house.

It’s unclear if Rozier took any of the money, but this explains how a millionaire athlete got tangled in such a scandal.

Rozier’s story serves as a stark warning: one bad choice can destroy a career and life.

Some speculate Rozier played poorly in other games, but there’s no evidence of additional betting irregularities or investigations.

The NBA’s punishment was swift but limited — Rozier was pulled from the rest of the season after faking an injury in March 2023.

However, what the NBA did next raises serious questions.

Despite knowing about the investigation since March 2023, the league kept it hidden from the public for 22 months.

Even more troubling, Rozier was traded to the Miami Heat without the team being informed about the ongoing investigation.

Imagine how furious the Miami Heat’s management and fans must be, learning this only after the fact.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has defended the league’s actions, saying they lack subpoena power and can only conduct internal inquiries.

But critics argue that not informing the Heat about Rozier’s situation was a major oversight, if not a cover-up.

The timing is suspicious: the NBA learned of Rozier’s involvement in March 2023 but remained silent during the July 2024 announcement of a $75 billion media rights deal.

One can only imagine Silver’s pressure to keep the scandal quiet to protect the league’s lucrative deals.

While there is no concrete proof of a cover-up, the facts and timeline raise serious doubts.

Miami Heat could potentially seek to reverse the trade or get salary cap relief given Rozier’s poor performance and the scandal’s impact.

Rozier has been so disappointing that he wasn’t even in the rotation for the Heat’s season opener despite being available.

The Heat also gave up a first-round pick in the trade, which now looks like a costly mistake.

Adding to the drama, the FBI revealed connections to rigged mafia poker games involving former NBA stars, including Kevin Garnett.

These games reportedly stole around $7 million from wealthy participants, further tarnishing the league’s image.

It’s shocking to think a player like Garnett, who earned over $300 million, might have been involved or at least aware of the rigging.

Another twist is the involvement of Damon Jones, a former assistant coach, who allegedly sold inside information.

This scandal exposes a deep flaw in the NBA’s ability to police gambling and protect the integrity of the game.

Fans already suspected games were rigged, and now these revelations only fuel those suspicions.

Adam Silver faces mounting pressure to act decisively before the scandal worsens and damages the league irreparably.

Despite the off-court turmoil, the basketball itself has been thrilling this season, with some of the best games in years.

However, even standout teams like the Houston Rockets face challenges, revealing that talent alone isn’t enough without strong management and trades.

This scandal is a stark reminder that no matter how exciting the game is on the court, the NBA must address serious issues off the court to maintain trust.

The league’s future depends on transparency, accountability, and swift action to prevent further damage.

For fans and players alike, this scandal is a wake-up call — the stakes are higher than ever, and the consequences of poor decisions can be devastating.

Stay tuned as this story develops and the NBA tries to navigate one of the most significant crises in its history.