Arbitrator orders NBA to pay Terry Rozier salary after unpaid leave ruling

After months of uncertainty, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is officially getting his money.

An arbitrator ruled Monday (February 2) that the NBA has to pay Rozier his salary, reversing the league’s decision to place him on unpaid leave after his arrest last year in a federal gambling investigation.

“Terry won today under principles of contract law and the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the players, but the bigger principle at issue is the presumption of innocence,” Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, told Front Office Sports. “Today’s arbitration ruling reminds the NBA that they can’t ignore that important concept just because it’s a high-profile case.”

Rozier is facing federal charges for what federal prosecutors say was his role in an alleged illegal NBA gambling scheme. Rozier was arrested and charged in October and has pleaded not guilty.

Jim Trusty, Rozier’s lawyer: “Terry won today under principles of contract law and the… https://t.co/ihRS3Q2U3d

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) February 2, 2026

NBA withheld Rozier and Billup’s salary amid ongoing gambling probe

Rozier was arrested in October as part of a federal probe that also included Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former player and coach Damon Jones. Prosecutors charged Rozier with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, both serious charges that can carry sentences of up to 20 years.

All of this unfolded during the final year of Rozier’s four-year, $96.3 million contract with Charlotte, which he signed in 2021. A few months later, in January 2024, he was traded to Miami in a deal that sent Kyle Lowry and a 2027 draft pick the other way. This season, Rozier is on the Heat’s books for $26.6 million, with $25 million of that guaranteed.

“We are pleased with the arbitrator’s ruling and remain committed to ensuring that Terry’s due process rights are protected and that he is afforded the presumption of innocence throughout this process,” an NBPA spokesman said.

In October 2025, we reported that the NBA and the Heat planned to park Rozier’s salary in escrow while the investigation continued. The idea was that if Rozier was cleared, he’d get the money. Billups, meanwhile, was not being paid during his enforced leave. Now, with the arbitration decision finalized, Rozier’s escrowed salary will be released.

Billups reportedly made around $4.7 million during the 2024–25 season and signed a multi-year extension earlier this year for an undisclosed amount.

ReadWrite has reached out to Terry Rozier’s legal representatives for comment.

Featured image: The Financial Express via YouTube

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