NBA, Hornets Seek No-Contact Order Against Terry Rozier

The NBA and the Charlotte Hornets asked a federal court to bar former guard Terry Rozier from contacting league personnel while he awaits a federal trial set for Feb. 8 on charges including sports bribery, honest services fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors allege Rozier accepted a $100,000 bribe to underperform in a March 23, 2023 game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Court documents say Rozier left that game after just over nine minutes with an injury and that alleged co‑conspirators won bets on several “unders” prop markets that night. Prosecutors also assert Rozier attempted to contact at least one potential witness by text and used an intermediary to reach another.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. wrote that “both the NBA and Hornets support continuing the no contact provision,” noting Rozier would likely encounter restricted persons at shootarounds, treatment rooms, the chapel and in tunnels near locker rooms if he returned to play.

Rozier, 32, has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Jim Trusty, asked the court to lift the blanket no‑contact restriction so Rozier could resume his NBA career. Trusty argued the provision is “unfairly punitive” without evidence of obstruction and prevents Rozier from working in his chosen profession. He also wrote that the NBA and the Miami Heat have “26 million reasons” to seek to keep Rozier from playing.

The government said it would consider replacing a broad no‑contact list with a specific list of individuals from the 2023 Hornets organization who Rozier must not contact, but it objected to allowing Rozier to communicate with non‑family witnesses outside the presence of counsel. Nocella wrote the “potential for witness tampering” in such a scenario “is high, and nearly impossible for the government or pretrial to monitor and enforce.”

U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall asked the league and the Hornets to weigh in on Rozier’s request to speak with NBA officials and Hornets staff and players. Court filings indicate both organizations prefer to keep the no‑contact restriction as written. Rozier had been barred from contacting the Miami organization until the Heat released him in April.

Rozier remains unsigned. An arbitrator in May ruled he should not receive the bulk of a $26.6 million contract for the 2025‑26 season, finding his bail restrictions would prevent him from meeting contract obligations. Rozier was with the Miami Heat when authorities arrested him in October. He played five seasons with Charlotte after starting his career with the Boston Celtics. LaMelo Ball is the only player from the 2022‑23 Hornets roster still with the franchise; he did not play in the game in question. The Hornets’ coaching staff and front office have since changed.

Rozier’s bail conditions bar contact with “victims or witnesses, co‑defendants or co‑conspirators” except in the presence of counsel and allow communication with family on non‑case matters. The court will consider the parties’ requests and the league’s input as pretrial proceedings continue toward the February trial date.