Bill Simmons takes the side of Steven A. Smith for claiming a scandal in the NBA

Bill Simmons expressed his support for ESPN Stephen A. Smith in connection with the growing federal sports betting scandal affecting the NBA. During the latest episode of the Bill Simmons podcast, the media personality backed up Smith’s claims that the league’s timing in announcing the recent arrests may have been deliberately damaging.

“If all this is true, this guy practiced last night, I watched last night, he practiced. He practiced, and then they started this,” Simmons said. “I don’t think this was unintentional that they brought this up at the worst possible time for the NBA. Stephen A. pointed that out on First Take today. Coming off of this incredible Wemby game – that’s what we were supposed to be doing on the podcast today – and they just broke their legs in 10 hours.”

Simmons was referring to the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami guard Terry Rozierwhich was also confirmed by the FBI on Thursday. Both are being investigated in connection with separate but related federal cases related to illegal sports betting.

Smith, speaking on ESPN’s First Take shortly after the news broke, framed it scandal within a broader pattern of political and institutional pressure.

“How many times have I said, Trump is coming? He’s coming,” Smith said. “Bud Bunny is performing at the Super Bowl and you hear ICE might be there. Now we have the FBI involved in the NBA. Remember, Trump has a long history in sports because of those casinos.”

Stephen A. Smith warns there could be deeper ramifications as arrests mount in the NBA betting probe

Smith continued, drawing a connection between recent legal developments and larger institutional forces.

“Anyone who’s been around him, anyone who’s talked to him, is not surprised by what’s happening today,” Smith said. “It’s a warning of more to come. This is as serious as it gets.”

Stephen A. Smith warns that President Trump could come to the WNBA next, after targeting the NFL over Bud Bunny and the NBA over gambling.

“Trump is coming. He’s coming.”

(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @avfulannouncing )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 23, 2025

He added that the situation could be the beginning of a larger investigation.

“People inside the NBA, inside the NFL, are saying this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Smith said. “You all better get ready. Because he’s coming.”

According to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania and ABC News, Rozier was arrested in Orlando at a hotel, while Billups was taken into custody in Oregon. ABC News reported that Billups is facing charges related to an illegal poker operation allegedly linked to organized crime. A third person, former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones, was also arrested in what officials say is an expanding investigation.

A federal investigation was reportedly launched after irregular betting patterns were flagged regarding the 2023 Hornets-Pelicans game. Rozier, who played in that game, left early with what was described as a foot injury. That incident also triggered a possible lifetime ban for assault by Toronto Raptors forward Jontey Porter earlier this year.

As the legal situation continues to unfold, both Simmons and Smith have raised questions about how the league is handling the situation and its broader implications for the future of professional sports and gambling oversight.