Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Naismith Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups has hired powerhouse defense attorney Marc Mukasey — known for representing former U.S. President Donald Trump — to defend him against federal gambling and wire-fraud charges that have sent shockwaves through the NBA.
According to The Athletic, Billups retained Mukasey, one of the country’s most renowned white-collar defense lawyers, after being placed on administrative leave by the Trail Blazers following his arrest in Oregon earlier this month.
Trail Blazers Confirm Billups Suspension, Splitter Takes Over
The Trail Blazers issued an official statement, confirming Billups’ leave and the organization’s cooperation with federal investigators, right after his arrest last week.
“We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Portland Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation,” the statement read. “Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA.”
Under Splitter, the Blazers have posted a 3–1 record, stabilizing the team amid the turbulence surrounding Billups’ legal troubles.
Billups Turns to High-Profile Legal Counsel
Getty Defense attorneys Marc Mukasey (L) and Tim Parlatore react outside military court after Navy Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher was acquitted of premediated murder at Naval Base San Diego July 2, 2019.
According to The Athletic, Mukasey is a former federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York and the son of former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey. He has represented Trump in multiple cases and defended high-profile clients, including Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher, who was acquitted of murder in 2019, and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried during his sentencing on fraud charges.
Widely regarded as one of the most formidable trial lawyers in the country, Mukasey is expected to spearhead a vigorous legal defense for Billups, who faces two indictments — conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy — each carrying potential 20-year prison sentences.
Federal Allegations Rock Billups’ Reputation
In the indictments reviewed by Heavy Sports, prosecutors allege that a coach who matches Billups’ descriptions provided non-public information about the Trail Blazers’ lineup decisions and participated in exclusive poker games that were rigged to lure wealthy players into illegal betting operations.
According to court filings, Billups allegedly tipped off a co-conspirator that the Blazers planned to rest top players before a March 2023 game against the Chicago Bulls, giving gamblers an unfair advantage.
Billups, 49, has denied any wrongdoing. His previous attorney, Chris Heywood, said last week that Billups “would not jeopardize” his Hall-of-Fame legacy, his reputation and freedom.
FBI, NBA Expanding Gambling Probe
The case is part of a growing NBA gambling investigation that has also implicated Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA player Damon Jones, both accused of sharing inside information with bettors. Earlier, former Toronto Raptors two-way player Jontay Porter pleaded guilty and is awaiting trial.
The league has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the “integrity of the game” amid the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting across the U.S.
Billups’ involvement has drawn particular attention due to his stature as one of the NBA’s most respected figures — a five-time All-Star, 2004 NBA Finals MVP, and now a head coach in a young Portland franchise looking to rebuild its identity.
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