And-Ones: Rozier, Payton, Clarke, Silver

The trial for Terry Rozier and three other defendants in a federal gambling case is scheduled to begin February 8, 2027, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. The former Heat guard pleaded not guilty in December to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, claims that the NBA has mishandled the investigation and is wrongfully preventing Rozier from continuing his career.

“The NBA has literally flagrantly fouled the presumption of innocence,” Trusty said (Twitter video link). “… They’re still trying to find ways to pretend they’re victims and that Terry should be prohibited from playing basketball. … They are not on the side of angels in this case.”

Trusty has petitioned Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to remove a bond restriction that prevents Rozier from playing in the NBA, and the league has been given a Monday deadline to respond, Vorkunov adds.

Rozier also pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of sports bribery and honest services wire fraud conspiracy that were filed by federal prosecutors last month, per ESPN.

Rozier’s lawyers have asked the Department of Justice and Judge Hall to dismiss the charges against him.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

• Former SuperSonics star Gary Payton is confident that the NBA will be returning to Seattle soon, Dana Scott of The Arizona Republic writes in a subscriber-only story. “There’s a lot of talk. The government over there in Seattle is going to be fine,” Payton said. “Seattle will be back with Las Vegas, so I’m not really worried about none of what they’re talking about. We’ll work it all out. There’s nothing that’s going to snag them. The ownership with Tod Leiweke (CEO of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken) and all them, we’re going to be fine. I’m just excited for them to get back. We should’ve never lost it but we’re gonna be back.”
• Brandon Clarke‘s death last month has brought new scrutiny to kratom, the substance he was carrying in his car during his recent arrest in Arkansas, per Melody Gutierrez of The Athletic. Many states are moving to outlaw kratom, including Clarke’s home state of Tennessee, which is placing restrictions on it starting July 1.
• Meeting with a small group of reporters last week, commissioner Adam Silver defended the success of the league’s 65-game minimum to be eligible for major awards and All-NBA honors, relays Sam Amick of The Athletic. “Our star participation was up, actually, significantly this year,” Silver said. “Taking injuries out (of the equation), with so-called load management or one-day absences (being the focus), we’re down 30% this year. … (Players) don’t want to disappoint the fans.”