The NBA has been forced to deal with multiple gambling scandals, which have unfortunately become arguably the biggest story of the season. Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were arrested for allegedly providing information to help gamblers win money betting on NBA games.
Another reported story has resurfaced involving the Orlando Magic back in 2023. The New York Times reported that the government believes a “regularly starting player” for Orlando gave information that the team planned to tank against the Cleveland Cavaliers in April of that season. A starter giving out tips is even more damning since it confirms someone with real importance was helping gamblers cheat.
The story claims that the gambler sold the information to other betters and created a betting anomaly that stood out. Government investigations have shown that no one is safe, and any player involved in cheating the system will face prosecution. If the Magic player in question is still active, another major scandal could erupt once his name is revealed.
More Information Of Orlando Magic Leaker
Orlando played two games against Cleveland in the reported time frame of April 2023. The regular starters at that point were Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Gary Harris, Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. However, three of those players are removed since it was also confirmed that the player is not currently on the team.
Other players did start throughout that season, and it’s possible the player in question was one of those role players. The worst-case scenario for the NBA would be a star like Banchero or Wagner coming under fire, but that is thankfully not the case. If the allegations are true and the story gains traction, the name will eventually be made public.
An arrest could come if enough evidence is found against the player, similar to the cases earlier this season. The Magic organization can rest a little easier knowing that they won’t have to deal with the drama of it being someone on the team. Expect Orlando to cooperate and try to get through this quickly to focus on their difficult season.
Gambling Has Become Real NBA Problem
Fans have started to complain about how prominent gambling has become in the NBA today. Every major network has a gambling sponsorship and often tries to sell fans on making bets. Legends like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal making sports betting predictions create terrible optics during these scandals.
Players can easily influence bets or provide information that complicate props fans are spending a total hundreds of thousands of dollars on. The 2023 case showed that a player telling friends about team decisions is not as unthinkable as one would like to believe. The government getting involved shows how severe the situation has become.
Orlando’s mystery player getting into legal trouble would add even more of a cloud over this season. Although the Magic likely won’t face immediate fallout from the potential punishment, they have spoken with Department of Justice reps to provide all necessary information on their end. NBA games are supposed to be driven by wins, but no one is coming out of this story as a winner.
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