Former NBA guard Terry Rozier has asked a federal judge to dismiss two of four criminal counts in his sports betting case. The motion, filed in federal court, cites newly referenced evidence indicating the player was unaware of the alleged wagering arrangement.
Evidence and Prosecution Response
Attorneys for Rozier requested the elimination of the sports bribery and honest services wire fraud counts, which federal prosecutors added in May 2026. The legal team highlights a March 2023 text message from co-defendant Deniro Laster stating, "Don’t tell chum ’bout the bet." The message arrived six days after the reported wagers on Rozier’s performance metrics while he was rostered with the Charlotte Hornets. Defense counsel argues the communication proves the betting group intentionally excluded the guard, making it impossible to establish that he knowingly accepted compensation or agreed to modify his on-court output.Federal prosecutors dispute this interpretation, maintaining that the text message falls outside the scope of the alleged conspiracy. They cite additional documentation and witness accounts to support the claim that Rozier was fully aware of the betting activity. Investigators further allege that prior to the Charlotte Hornets’ March 23 matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, Rozier informed associates of his intention to exit the contest early.
Prosecutors state that this advance notice enabled bettors to place profitable wagers on the under across multiple player prop markets.
Procedural Status and Bond Conditions
The current filing supplements a December request from Rozier’s legal team to dismiss the remaining two charges, with the federal court yet to rule on either motion. In June, prosecutors obtained backing from both the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets to maintain existing bond conditions. These restrictions bar Rozier from communicating with current or former franchise personnel and reduce his availability for potential league contracts.Rozier was originally arrested and indicted in October 2025. He pleaded not guilty to all four counts and faces a trial scheduled for February 2027. The guard was released by the Miami Heat in April.