PORTLAND, Ore. — Former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups appeared in federal court on Thursday for a scheduled status update in the ongoing gambling investigation that led to his arrest, joining 30 co-defendants for the brief hearing.
Billups has consistently denied the charges. His attorney, Mark Mukasey, reiterated that stance to reporters before entering the courthouse and told U.S. Magistrate Judge Ramon Reyes that the defense welcomed the proposed trial start date of Nov. 2. The comment indicated Billups does not plan to pursue a plea agreement and intends to contest the allegations at trial.
One co-defendant, former NBA player and coach Damon Jones, changed his plea to guilty in April, admitting he “knew these games were rigged and that players were being cheated.”
A Trail Blazers spokesperson declined to comment on Billups’ legal situation, citing the open case. The team is currently conducting a head-coaching search. If Billups pleads guilty or is convicted, the organization could terminate his contract for cause, though such a move might be challenged by the National Basketball Coaches Association if he is later cleared.
Absent a plea deal, court proceedings could keep Billups’ contract status unresolved for months or even years, clouding the franchise’s coaching plans despite widespread expectations that he will not return to an NBA bench.
Source: Hoops Rumors
