Regardless of a robust begin to the 2025-26 NBA season, the league is coping with an more and more huge downside, and it has nothing to do with the state of play. With the current arrests of Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier, former NBA participant Damon Jones, and Portland Path Blazers head coach and Corridor of Famer Chauncey Billups, it is clear that the league has a playing downside.
These aren’t the one NBA names which were embroiled in playing allegations. Former Toronto Raptors large man Jontay Porter was banned from the league in 2024 after he was allegedly caught up in the same playing state of affairs.
Then there may be additionally free agent guard Malik Beasley, who was below investigation by the FBI for comparable alleged misconduct. That’s 4 such situations in simply two years and a rising downside for the NBA.
The NBA could have a playing downside on its arms
It’s fascinating that the NBA has had a a lot greater downside than MLB or the NFL relating to gamers and playing, and it comes on the worst attainable time. The league is attempting to globalize the sport, taking full benefit of a league comprised of worldwide stars.
That has led to speak of enlargement, with Las Vegas being one of many two attainable enlargement cities. After all, having a crew in Las Vegas now can be a foul look contemplating what has occurred.
Whereas enlargement has misplaced steam in current months, if it picks again up, the NBA could also be pressured to look elsewhere. In any case, with the most recent controversies surrounding the NBA, who’s to say a a lot greater one would not emerge from having a crew in Las Vegas?
The counterpoint is that Las Vegas already has an NFL crew and, quickly, an MLB crew. To not point out the NBA has had ties with Las Vegas for years, with NBA Summer time League and the NBA Cup Finals being held there.
Nonetheless, the block is likely to be too sizzling for the league to noticeably take into account an enlargement crew in Las Vegas. Backup choices would possibly embrace Montreal, Canada, or Mexico Metropolis, Mexico, which is the most important metropolis in North America.
The NBA should cope with the repercussions of newest playing scandal
The league’s response to the playing accusations has additionally drawn criticism, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioning that the NBA knew concerning the Rozier allegations nearly instantly after they occurred again in March. The league opted to quietly droop Rozier somewhat than face the state of affairs head-on.
That got here again to chew them as soon as Rozier and Billups had been arrested, marking one more playing scandal the league was left to confront. It is a unhealthy look and will jeopardize the NBA’s credibility if they can not discover a approach to cease their gamers from being wrapped up in playing scandals.
