Judge Denies Terry Rozier Request to Modify Bail Conditions

U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall denied a defense request on July 8 to modify Terry Rozier's bail conditions so he could practice and play with potential witnesses provided they avoided discussing the case. The judge stated it would be impossible to police on-court conversations.

DeArcy Hall also cited a prior violation of the no-contact provision in Rozier's $3 million bond. Rozier had sent a text message to a prohibited person to inform them he was on the no-contact list. "What that tells me is that he believes he knows better than the court," the judge said.

Rozier, 32, faces trial in February 2027 on bribery and conspiracy charges. Federal prosecutors allege he received a $70,000 payoff to leave a March 2023 game early, enabling bettors to place more than $250,000 in wagers on his reduced statistics. His friend Deniro "Niro" Laster faces related charges.

Rozier averaged 3.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 10 NBA seasons. He spent 4½ seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before a 2024 trade to Miami. The Heat released him in April 2026, though an arbitrator later ordered the team to pay his $26.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season.

Rozier was arrested in October 2025 during a federal gambling investigation that produced more than three dozen arrests. He is barred from contact with at least a dozen potential witnesses, including seven former Hornets teammates now on other NBA teams. His lawyers have asked the court to dismiss the case or move it to Miami.

Defense attorney David Markus told reporters after the hearing that he wished the trial could start immediately because Rozier is innocent.