Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty Monday in a federal racketeering and gambling case and was released on a $5 million bond secured by his Colorado home, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Shelburne reported that Billups’ wife and three daughters were present in the Brooklyn courtroom, and that his wife and one daughter co-signed the bond. Billups, 47, left the courthouse without comment, accompanied by his attorney, Marc Mukasey.
Portland has suspended Billups without pay while the case proceeds, a decision announced shortly after the indictment became public. The Trail Blazers are 7-9 since Billups’ arrest.
Judge Aims to Move Quickly Despite Complex Case
Billups is one of 31 defendants accused of participating in a Mafia-linked operation that allegedly rigged private, high-stakes poker games to defraud wealthy participants. Prosecutors told the court they have one terabyte of evidence, including surveillance recordings, financial records and digital communications. Shelburne reported that the volume of materials is so large that the next hearing isn’t scheduled until March 4, allowing attorneys time to review the discovery.
Despite the complexity, the judge said he wants to start the trial by September 2026, according to Shelburne. Defense lawyers objected, telling the court the case could take years, but the judge insisted on a faster timetable.
Judge Rejects Plan to Split 31 Defendants
Prosecutors requested breaking defendants into separate groups of 10 to ease logistics. Multiple defense attorneys argued that splitting the case would disadvantage whichever group argued motions first. Shelburne reported that the judge agreed and kept all 31 defendants together — for now.
The discovery review process is expected to dominate the coming months.
What Billups Is Accused Of
Getty Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncey Billups exits the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse after his arraignment on October 23, 2025 in Portland, Oregon.
The federal indictment reviewed by Heavy Sports claims Billups used his NBA celebrity status to lure wealthy opponents to illegal poker games that were secretly controlled by individuals with ties to the Gambino and Genovese crime families. Prosecutors allege players were cheated using marked cards, rigged shuffling devices, hidden cameras and specialized lenses, generating millions in illicit profits.
Investigators allege Billups received tens of thousands of dollars in payouts from the scheme. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
What This Means for Portland
Billups was hired by the Trail Blazers in 2021 and recently entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024. His tenure coincided with the franchise pivoting into a full rebuild centered on Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija.
With Billups suspended, Portland has elevated assistant coach Tiago Splitter as interim coach. The organization has not announced who will lead the team long-term pending the case’s outcome.
Team officials have declined to comment beyond confirming the suspension.
The case returns to court on March 4. As prosecutors transfer the enormous discovery to defense teams, the legal fight is expected to unfold slowly — even as the judge pushes for an expedited timeline.
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