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The biggest story in sports, let alone the NBA, was the FBI gambling investigation announced Thursday, which involved the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones, among many others.
During ESPN’s “Inside The NBA,” the panel of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley discussed the situation, but it resulted in a heated exchange between Smith and Barkley.
Smith began with his extensive view of the situation.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Court following a hearing following his arrest on federal gambling charges in Portland, Oregon, U.S., on Oct. 23, 2025. (REUTERS/John Rudoff)
“We look at the players that are involved and the people that are involved, we’re surprised when you have access and you’re at the top of the game, so to speak, as a coach or a player or whatever at the top of the game, you have access to millions of dollars in this league. So it was surprising that they would possibly put themselves in that position. Innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
Smith’s next point is what upset Barkley, who was visibly frustrated at the desk.
“I think the other part is that you have to realize that gambling is an addiction, so the addiction is what makes you make illogical decisions,” Smith continued. “…The director of the FBI [Kash Patel] He said, there is a man who lost 1.8 million dollars. That means he has a lot of money, so he’s addicted to it. Those ‘fish’ they were talking about bringing. So gambling is an addiction that could make you make illogical decisions regardless of your ethnicity, regardless of your physical background, regardless of your financial situation. So, let’s understand that.
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“I don’t agree in terms of the NBA dropping the ball. This is an ongoing investigation. There’s no way for any FBI, or even police, to say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re doing.’ The element of surprise always makes this happen so they can’t spread too much of the information they receive.
When Smith told Barkley that he would let him speak once he made his final point, Barkley couldn’t contain himself.
“I wish you would because you’re making me angry,” Barkley said.
“I also think that just because there are people getting speeding tickets doesn’t mean that everyone in the league speeds. So don’t look at this group of people who started to be investigated like the entire league,” Smith concluded.
Kenny Smith looks on before the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the 2023 NBA Season Tournament on December 7, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)
Then it was Barkley’s turn to speak.
“First of all, they are two different things,” he began. “If we take Chauncey out of the equation, the reason I’m mad at Kenny is because this has nothing to do with a fucking gambling addiction. This has nothing to do with addiction. These guys are stupid. Under no circumstances can you fix basketball games. Under no circumstances. I love gambling. Rozier makes $26 million. If he gives information to people or walks out of games, how much will he benefit the leave the games to do unders? “He’s making $26 million.”
Smith intervened, saying Barkley was making a point.
“If you’re making $26 million to try to make $50,000, that’s illogical,” Smith said.
Barkley responded, reiterating his belief that those involved were not gambling addicts, but rather that “that’s stupid.”
“The notion that kids are making all this money and giving out information, enough of it. That has nothing to do with addiction. It’s total stupidity on the part of those two,” Barkley said.
O’Neal gave his opinion before the debate between Smith and Barkley. He said the league offered forums to inform players about the dangers of the game.
“All of these guys knew what was at stake and I’m ashamed that they put themselves, their families and the NBA in this position,” O’Neal said. “You all know the rules, we all know the letter of the law and it’s just unfortunate. Innocent until proven guilty, but usually when the FBI has something, they have you.”
College basketball analyst Charles Barkley on air before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four championship. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Billups, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame like the men on the panel, left an Oregon federal court Thursday, where he did not answer questions after being arrested as part of the FBI investigation. Billups was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering as he was allegedly involved in the investigation of rigged poker games.
Billups was released on conditions that he surrender his passport, not contact any of the more than 30 accused co-defendants, and not engage in any gambling activities.
Rozier was allegedly involved in the sports betting ring, where schemers allegedly gave out non-public information about who would sit out future games or when they would withdraw early due to injury or illness.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Rozier faked an injury to leave a March 23, 2023, game between the Charlotte Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier allegedly told co-defendant Deniro Laster that he was leaving the game so Laster could bet.
The NBA cooperated with the investigation and placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave.
