Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier’s attorney pushed back Tuesday against allegations that his client provided inside information to bettors in one of the largest federal sports betting investigations in NBA history.
In an interview with FOX News Channel’s The Will Cain Show, attorney Jim Trusty acknowledged that Rozier discussed his injury with a childhood friend — but insisted that the conversation was personal, not criminal.
Rozier’s Attorney: ‘Confiding in a Friend Is Not a Crime’
Rozier, 31, is accused of giving nonpublic health information to his friend Deniro Laster before a March 2023 game while he was still playing for the Charlotte Hornets.
In the unsealed indictments reviewed by Heavy Sports, Federal prosecutors allege that Rozier told Laster he planned to leave the game early because of a lingering foot injury. Laster then allegedly sold that information to bettors for roughly $100,000, before Rozier exited the game after just nine minutes.
But Trusty argued that Rozier’s comments were not part of a gambling conspiracy.
“Confiding in a friend, a childhood friend, and saying, ‘Man, I’m banged up, it’s the end of the season, we’re out of the playoffs, I think I’m going to sit early in this game’ — that’s not a crime,” Trusty said. “That’s simply confiding in a friend. Whatever that friend did is not on Terry.”
Trusty added that the allegations were thin and framed Rozier as a victim of association rather than intent.
“Maybe the league should create rules that say you can only tell a manager, trainer or your mom,” Trusty said. “But what Terry did isn’t illegal. The allegations in the indictment are incredibly thin.”
Prosecutors Say Rozier Counted Gambling Proceeds
According to the federal indictment, however, Rozier allegedly paid for Laster’s travel to Philadelphia, where Laster collected the proceeds of the bet. Prosecutors said Laster later drove to Rozier’s home, where the two counted the cash together.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a sweeping federal operation that led to 34 arrests, including those of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones.
Trusty flatly denied that Rozier was involved in any money exchange.
“We very much dispute that,” Trusty said. “Terry Rozier had a $100 million contract and a major shoe endorsement. The idea that he’d risk that to fake an injury for $100,000 is absurd.”
Rozier’s Lawyer: ‘He Actually Lost Money’
Getty Jim Trusty, attorney for Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, talks to press outside the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Trusty said Rozier’s decision to rest his injured foot was medically supported and cost him financially.
“This was a guy who was banged up after a long 82-game season,” Trusty said. “The Hornets were out of the playoffs. Medical staff knew. Coaching staff knew. He sat the final few games. He actually lost money — his shoe deal had appearance bonuses he didn’t reach.”
Trusty emphasized that Rozier’s injury was chronic and that he was acting on medical advice, not betting motivations.
“This wasn’t some secret plan. It was a normal end-of-season shutdown,” he said.
Rozier Posts Bail, Salary Held in Escrow
Rozier, who was traded to the Miami Heat in 2024, has since posted bail, using his $6 million Florida home as collateral.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the NBA has placed Rozier’s $26.6 million salary for the 2025–26 season in escrow pending the outcome of the case. If he is cleared of wrongdoing, Rozier will receive the withheld payments in full and could be reinstated.
“I’m not seeing anything that makes me think Terry should have been charged,” Trusty said. “This is a situation where a friend took information and ran with it. Terry didn’t do anything.”
Rozier’s case is part of an expanding federal investigation into illegal betting networks tied to current and former NBA figures, raising further questions about the league’s integrity policies in the age of legalized sports wagering.
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