Chauncey Billups' NBA Return Appears Unlikely as Legal Case Progresses and Blazers Appoint New Coach
2026-06-25
Source: iGaming Business
Chauncey Billups' chances of returning to the NBA appear low as the Portland Trail Blazers have hired Micah Nori as their new head coach amidst Billups' ongoing federal illegal poker case. Billups faces charges of money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy, with prosecutors alleging he acted as a "face card" in a scheme that defrauded victims of at least $7 million.
The prospects of Chauncey Billups returning to the NBA by the 2026-27 season seem increasingly dim, particularly after the Portland Trail Blazers, his former team, recently appointed a new head coach. Billups has been on leave from the club since October of last year, following his indictment in a high-profile illegal poker operation.
The Portland Trail Blazers have officially named former Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori as their new head coach. This decision comes as Billups remains on leave and follows interim coach Tiago Splitter's departure earlier this month to lead the Chicago Bulls. The hiring of Nori effectively concludes Billups' association with the Blazers, who made their first playoff appearance since 2021 this year.
Indictment in Sweeping Gambling Case
Billups, who took on the Blazers' head coaching role in 2021, was placed on leave last fall after a federal grand jury issued indictments against 31 individuals, including him, in connection with an extensive illegal gambling scheme. Weeks after the indictment, he entered a plea of not guilty to several felony charges at a Brooklyn federal courthouse. The 49-year-old is currently facing charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy related to the poker enterprise.
Prosecutors assert that the defendants collectively defrauded poker participants of at least $7 million through a sophisticated cheating operation. This scheme allegedly involved