Lawyers For Terry Rozier Point to New Text Evidence, Claim He Did Not Know About Bets

• Counsel for Terry Rozier are requesting his own trial for sports betting scandal, severed from co-defendant Deniro Laster
• Lawyers allege Rozier did not know about betting activity and point to new text evidence
• Both Rozier and Laster have pled not guilty for their roles in the alleged sports betting scandal

---

In a new court document, lawyers for Terry Rozier are requesting their client receive a separate trial from co-defendant Deniro Laster, pointing to evidence that allegedly showcases the former NBA guard knew nothing about bets being placed on his game performances.

Both Rozier and Laster have pled not guilty for their roles in an alleged sports betting scandal. Prosecutors allege Rozier Laster, and other co-defendants manipulated game performances and used non-public information to win large amounts of money over at least two NBA seasons.

According to Rozier’s lawyers, the former NBA guard knew nothing about bets being placed on his performance and recently presented new texts as evidence that they feel support this claim.

Did Rozier Know About Bets?

The sports betting scandal, dubbed “Operation Nothing But Net” by the FBI, involved similar individuals who also orchestrated the sports betting scheme involving former Raptors center Jontay Porter. Porter pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in manipulating his performance outcomes and is awaiting sentencing. He has also been permanently banned from the NBA.

A federal investigation of Rozier was announced in January 2025, centering around a March 23, 2023 game when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier played less than 10 minutes in the game after leaving with what was described as a foot injury. Rozier averaged more than 35 minutes a game that season.

However, Rozier’s lawyers in a new letter to the court said text conversations have been discovered that showcase Rozier did not know about the scandal or bets being placed on his performance.

“For example, on March 29, 2023, the same day the indictment claims Mr. Laster collected the cash in Philadelphia, he texted an associate: ‘Don’t tell chum bout the bet.’ ‘Chum’ is Mr. Rozier. Indeed, the government’s own allegations put Mr. Laster at the center of every transaction. He communicated with co-conspirators. His relatives, friends, and associates placed bets on Mr. Rozier. He is the one who received the proceeds,” Rozier’s lawyers wrote.

Counsel cannot present this new evidence without effectively prosecuting Laster, they noted, so the defendants should be severed and be tried in two separate cases.

The lawyers requested both be tried in back-to-back trials, beginning with the Feb. 8, 2027 trial date already set on the court’s calendar.

Laster Accused of Witness Tampering

In August, federal prosecutors pointed to a number of instances of Laster attempting to intimidate witnesses to avoid cooperating with the government’s investigation. Laster, Rozier, and certain childhood friends allegedly belonged to a crew they called “GMB,” with members showcasing publicly as having access to guns.

According to federal prosecutors, Laster allegedly contacted three associates to ask if they were cooperating with the investigation, in ways that were interpreted as threats. Additionally, he attempted to contact an associate through a third party, which prosecutors noted was a violation of his bond. His arrest prohibited him from any form of contact with co-defendants, co-conspirators, victims and witness identified by the government.

Additionally, prosecutors report that soon after June 30, 2026, an Instagram account associated with Laster posted a rat emoji to an associate involved with the case. An investigation found that Laster’s Instagram account, or accounts associated with Laster and Rozier, have posted rat emojis publicly on social media accounts before.

Sports Betting Scandal

Rozier was arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering and he was released on a $3 million personal recognizance bond earlier this year.

During the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 NBA seasons, Rozier, Laster, and other co-defendants allegedly used non-public information and plans from NBA players to leave games early to capitalize on a number of bets placed through online and retail sportsbooks.

According to an indictment, six members of the ring either manipulated individual performances or knew non-public information prior to several NBA games.

A judge restricted Rozier’s travel to Florida, Ohio, New York City, and Long Island. If attempting to travel anywhere lese, Rozier must obtain approval from the court.