The dust on the NBA offseason has just about settled.
Preparations are already in full swing ahead of the new season, but while the NBA enjoys its offseason, other topics and headlines continue to dominate basketball news reels across the world.
Alongside the scintillating basketball played by the world’s best players on the court, there were unfortunate incidents taking place off the court that put the beautiful game in jeopardy.
Concerns over game-fixing reared its ugly head again, which follows on from a historic life ban for gambling-related incidents just over a year ago.
With so much attention paid to the NBA not just during the season, but all year round, drama off the court has cast a dark cloud over the league ahead of the new season in October.
Jontay Porter Got NBA’s First Lifetime Ban
Game-fixing is nothing new to sport. Whether in cricket, baseball, the soccer European Championship, tennis, or German soccer, there have been many major incidents of game-fixing and gambling-related misdemeanors to report.
However, for nearly two decades, the NBA had kept its nose clean of game-fixing. That was until last year, when Jontay Porter became the first NBA player to receive a life ban for throwing games and disclosing confidential information to outside sources.
The former Toronto Raptors forward was the first major investigation into game-fixing since 2007, when referee Tim Donaghy admitted to placing bets on games he was taking charge of between 2003 and 2007.
Terry Rozier’s Future Uncertain
Despite the lengthy period without an incident, another has arisen in the form of Terry Rozier.
In August 2021, Rozier signed a four-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets with annual earnings nearing $25 million. However, Rozier’s career is now in jeopardy after an investigation was opened into a game between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans.
In this game in March 2023, Rozier left the court injured with only five points to his name, well below what had been projected for him on online sportsbooks. That, coupled with a large number of bets backing this outcome, has led to further investigations taking place.
The investigation, which has remained ongoing since July 15, has now led to Rozier’s arrest on October 23.
NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch did not hold back regarding Rozier’s arrest.
Malik Beasley Might Be in Trouble, Too
Malik Beasley, one of the NBA’s premier three-point shooters, is also in deep water for potential gambling-related incidents.
As of now, he is being primarily investigated for his final season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24. One of his notable “wtf” moments was a late defensive miscue against the Indiana Pacers.
This isn’t proof of Beasley fixing the game, and he could very well have been fooled by Tyrese Haliburton. Still, it’s a head-scratching moment that happens to be during the time when he is being investigated.
Outside of that window, a suspicious event during his time with the Timberwolves may draw even more eyes.
A shadow cast over the court
Following the incidents involving Jontay Porter and potential incidents of Terry Rozier and Malik Beasley, the NBA finds itself in a dark place. Additional scandals will undoubtedly occur. Like with any scandal, integrity will get called into question and the NBA’s reputation will certainly take a hit.
The fact that players can be corrupted will raise doubts in locker rooms across the country, and once the new season gets underway, basketball fans across the world might even begin to doubt daily basketball predictions. Furthermore, allegations of game-fixing and inside betting have infiltrated the college basketball game, with New Orleans becoming the latest college program to come into question about players placing bets.
There is no doubt about the shocking impact these allegations can have on the sport’s reputation. However, many fans will look to take the optimistic road and remind dissenters of the other wonderful aspects of the game.
Buzzer-beaters. The somewhat “underdog” story that unfolded last season with the Indiana Pacers, and the global fandom that fervently follows this sport week in, week out.
The recent game-fixing scandals have shaken the sport, but there is, nevertheless, plenty of positive anticipation ahead of the new 2025-26 season.
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