Overview
- Federal charges against Chauncey Billups include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, with an arraignment set for Nov. 24 in New York.
- The Trail Blazers placed Billups on leave and elevated Tiago Splitter to interim head coach as the organization cooperates with investigators.
- Billups appeared before a judge in Oregon and was released on conditions, while his attorney rejected the allegations and defended his integrity.
- Prosecutors allege Mafia-linked crews rigged high-stakes poker games with hidden technology and that insiders shared nonpublic NBA health information, with Heat guard Terry Rozier also arrested.
- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said Billups sounded confident, Detroit’s J.B. Bickerstaff cautioned players about monetized conversations, and Congress requested a briefing for Commissioner Adam Silver.