The Zach Lowe Show (Oct 23, 2025): NBA Gambling Scandals, Opening Week Reactions & Detroit’s Rise

Episode Overview

In this packed episode, Zach Lowe (host) addresses the NBA’s most recent and wide-ranging gambling scandals with ESPN’s betting expert David Purdum. The show then pivots to pure hoops as Zach and six-time All-Star/new Amazon analyst Blake Griffin offer rapid reactions to NBA opening night, and finally, Detroit Pistons President Trajan Langdon joins to reflect on his own journey and the Pistons' future.

The episode’s central theme: The intersection of gambling and on-court integrity, with big questions about how the NBA navigates a sports landscape awash in betting, and how the league’s new scandals threaten player, coach, and fan trust. Segments also break down opening week surprises, with a close lens on new contenders and breakout players.

I. Breaking Down the NBA’s Latest Gambling Scandals (00:59–27:36)

Guests:

• Zach Lowe (A)
• David Purdum, ESPN betting analyst (B)

A. Scandals Detailed (3:11–7:00)

• Two indictments dropped:
  • NBA Prop Betting/Insider Scheme: Terry Rozier involved in leaking inside info (March 2023 Hornets-Pelicans) for bettors to cash in on his prop unders. Reference to the earlier Jontay Porter prop-bet scandal (Porter removed himself after a few minutes for conspirators to hit betting unders).
  • Rigged Poker Games with Mafia Ties: Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones (ex-players/coaches) allegedly acted as “face cards” for rigged, high-stakes games using tech (card readers, magnet transmitters). These poker scams targeted rich victims, possibly luring them in by Billups/Jones' presence and alleged involvement.
• New info: After the Rozier game, Rozier and his co-conspirator allegedly "met back up at Rozier's house in Charlotte to count the money."

B. Blurred Lines: Game Manipulation vs. Insider Info (04:21–13:34)

• Types of Violations:
  • Game manipulation (e.g., Porter, Rozier) is outright fixing.
  • Sharing inside info: e.g., tanking games at season’s end, relay of “who’s playing”/injury news, sometimes by coaches (like Billups), to people that end up betting.
• Example: Co-conspirator #8 (strongly implied to be Chauncey Billups) told a friend about Blazers tanking, friend placed bets accordingly.
• “There is a line… Once that friend takes it to known gamblers…and knows that they’re going to use it for betting advantage, that’s a clear line.” – David Purdum (13:10)
• In some cases, information leaves the NBA person’s control (offhand remark to friend or family), but if it’s knowingly relayed for betting, it crosses an obvious ethical and legal line.

C. Scandal Web and Ties Between Indictments (7:00–12:38)

• Multiple connections: Rozier, Billups, and various underground gambling actors (e.g., Eric Ernest).
• Damon Jones also texted bettors with actionable injury info (example: told to place big money before news hit that LeBron wouldn’t play, though no one suggests LeBron was involved.)
• On the NBA’s challenge: “There’s just a friggin’ mess, man. I don’t know what the NBA has to do to clean this up… If you are caught in the middle of this, knowingly, you’re going to get banned from the league.” – Zach Lowe (13:34)
  • Chauncey Billups already placed on leave; if allegations stick, his NBA career is “probably over.”

D. The Larger Issue: Legal Betting’s Double-Edged Sword (15:14–18:54)

• Legalized, regulated betting gives authorities the transparency needed to catch unusual patterns—one upside of the current environment.
• Adam Silver/the NBA have warned about prop bet risks—menus too large, odds/limits too manipulable by insiders.
• Discussed similar scandals in other sports (MLB, NFL, college basketball); every league is getting “touched” by betting irregularities.

Notable Quotes:

• “Prop bets are an absolute menace.” – Zach Lowe (3:11)
• “The betting menus just open up more opportunities for people to try this. They almost incentivize you to try it.” – David Purdum (16:25)
• “If we lose the integrity of sports, we’ve lost the sport.” – Zach Lowe (21:53)
• “If you're in professional sports, just don't bet on sports. How about you just don't.” – Zach Lowe (21:53)

E. Poker World Overlap (18:54–21:53)

• Poker and sports betting “undergrounds” have been intersecting for years. Many facing discipline in these cases ran in both circles.
• Technology used in poker cheating is sophisticated: rigged shufflers, transmitters, elaborate scams.
• Specific note: Billups and others accused of both organizing and knowingly participating in rigged games, targeting high-value victims (poker indictment).

II. NBA Opening Week Overreactions: Breaking Down the Contenders (28:40–73:14)

Guest Panel:

• Blake Griffin (D), six-time NBA All-Star, Amazon studio analyst

A. Rapid Fire: Western Conference Top 6 (29:05–54:09)

• Griffin and Lowe compare “top 6” picks. Key teams:
  • Both (in varying order): Oklahoma City, Denver, Houston, Minnesota, Warriors, Clippers

Oklahoma City (OKC)

• Both rank #1. Deep young team. Impressed with Chet Holmgren’s growth, Kason Wallace’s defense, Wallace as “sleeper most improved” (31:41).
• “They got better last year from experience, and… barring injuries, I think they’re the heavy favorite” – Blake Griffin (29:45)

Houston Rockets

• Griffin worried about “lack of ball handling,” but loves Amen Thompson and Sengun. Houston’s offense struggled when Van Vliet went down—“Van Vliet’s injury is not a blessing in disguise.” (32:35)
• “Sengun ran 15 PNRs as ball handler… a sea change” – Zach (34:36)

Golden State Warriors

• Lowe notably higher than Griffin; impressed by lineup experiments. Jonathan Kuminga "is really starting to get it," showing more selfless, Warriors-style play (47:33–49:13).

Clippers, Lakers

• Both skeptical, especially after Clippers’ rough opener vs Utah. “They just looked old and slow,” – Zach (52:38)
• Lakers: questions about depth, especially without LeBron. “My biggest question is – I don’t know how you guard the backcourt having to play Austin Reaves and Luka [Doncic] 34+ minutes a game.” – Blake (47:33)
• “LeBron not starting the season healthy scares me.” – Blake (51:23)

San Antonio Spurs / Victor Wembanyama Reaction (36:07–42:45)

• Both hosts on the brink of moving Spurs/“Wemby” into their top 6 after a “holy shit” debut game.
• Griffin impressed not just by Wembanyama’s “otherworldly” skills, but his mental focus:
  “He’s out there working with monks, he’s spending time with Olajuwon, spending time with KG. Every interview is thoughtful. His focus and drive is—by far—first and foremost in his life. …His ceiling? I don’t know where it is.” – Blake Griffin (36:35)

B. Eastern Conference Top 6 (54:09–66:06)

• Both pick: Cleveland, New York, Orlando, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Detroit.

Highlights/Concerns:

• Cleveland: Clunky offense opening night (key players missing)
• Knicks: Looked different—playing faster, more off-ball, more creative, healthier team overall (57:51)
• Orlando: On the rise, offensive chemistry improving, potential #1 seed if Cleveland is slow out of the gate.
  “I just think they’re going to win a lot of regular season games.” – Zach (59:46)
• Atlanta: Perpetually “on notice,” uncertain identity despite talent. “I don’t know what their identity is. …I just need direction.” – Blake (67:10)
• Detroit: Encouraged by young core despite opener.

Standouts:

• Philly’s VJ Edgecombe: “just 40 points, 7-of-9 on threes, the poise he played with… I’ve got my eye on Maxi for an All-NBA third team kind of leap this season” – Zach (64:30)
• Miami: Experimenting with “gap year” offense; less pick-and-roll, more motion—monitoring changes under Spoelstra.

C. Notable Opening Night Player Takes (throughout)

• Chet Holmgren (OKC): Defensive wrecker and playmaking upside.
• Amen Thompson (Houston): “Looked awesome,” could be a ROY sleeper (33:43).
• Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): “Handle not just tighter, but faster… That was everything anyone could have asked for out of him on both ends of the floor.” – Zach (38:27)
• Luka Doncic (Lakers): “He looked great… looked in good shape, active defensively, a couple steals, even had a block” – Blake (48:14)
• Pace of play: Multiple teams (Knicks, Magic, Spurs) playing faster, seeking new identities

D. X-Factors: Most Important Non-All-Stars For the Title Race (69:02–72:43)

• Both select Cam Johnson (Denver Nuggets):
  • “Denver are the team that got better the most. Cameron Johnson is, to me, exactly what they need. The type of guy that benefits from Nikola Jokic.” – Blake (69:49)
• Zach: “Offense keeps moving… but he’s gotta hit 44% of his threes. He can’t be 37%”
• Honorable mention: Aaron Gordon (Denver).

E. NBA Finals Picks

• Both: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks
  • “I went Oklahoma City over Knicks” – Zach (73:04)
  • Griffin: “I went on a limb. Oklahoma City vs. Knicks” (72:48)

III. Detroit’s Hopes & the Trajan Langdon Interview (74:51–108:05)

Guest:

• Trajan Langdon, Detroit Pistons President

A. Reflections on Playing Abroad/Life Lessons (75:17–77:37)

• Langdon’s decorated EuroLeague career, embracing different cultures and growth opportunities, never regretted leaving the NBA.

B. Old School NBA, Cultural Fit, and Nicknames (78:15–81:49)

• Langdon’s Alaska basketball roots—grew up a Lakers and Michael Cooper fan, but watched a lot of Hawks/Bulls via TBS/WGN.
• Discussion of “bad boys” Pistons and Duke’s place as NCAA villains.

C. Team Building Philosophy (83:29–88:39)

• On Ron Holland: chose him for motor, work ethic, size, and defensive upside.
• Combining old-school toughness (Isaiah Stewart’s fire) with keeping everyone on the right side of the line (minimizing techs/suspensions).
• Draft philosophy: “Try to let that person feel comfortable being themselves. …They’ve all been prepped. We want to get them to relax and have a good time.” – Langdon (86:01)
• Evaluate player IQ at combine interviews (“drop your favorite play, diagram what you do”).

D. Navigating Extensions and Injury News (89:05–92:58)

• Extension talks with Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren: professional, ongoing, “sometimes you can be close, sometimes not, revisit later.”
• Jaden Ivey’s last-minute knee surgery “not a big deal,” just “cleaned up some loose cartilage.” Timetable: “re-evaluate in four [weeks]” (91:36)

E. 2024 Playoff Lessons (93:19–97:58)

• Handling emotional playoff loss (missed foul call on Josh Hart in pivotal home game), leadership in “hot house” playoff environment.
• Main positives: team’s resilience, unselfishness, improved passing, and ability to execute under pressure.
• Main negative: youth showed with lapses, not always recognizing when “game-winning time” started.

F. Pistons Young Core & Most Improved Player Pick (97:58–100:12)

• Lowe is bullish on the Cade Cunningham–Jalen Duren–Ausar Thompson trio: “something about that group works.”
• Langdon: “They’re connected in a way—they look for each other. Defensively those three can be really good as well.”
• Zach: “I picked Ausar Thompson for Most Improved Player.”

G. Will Pistons Get Aggressive? (100:12–101:58)

• Langdon open to “buying” if the opportunity is right but wants to let young core develop, learn who everyone is first.

H. Fun & Off-the-Court: Halloween Parties & Baseball Memories (102:09–107:22)

• Langdon, also a talented high school pitcher/hitter, compared himself to crafty, low-velocity throwers; pitched for minor league teams, with Matt Clement (future MLBer) as a teammate.
• Halloween enthusiast—Pistons staff costume parties now a tradition, “the theme this year is Great Gatsby, we’ll see who stands out.”

IV. Notable Quotes and Moments

• “Prop bets are an absolute menace.” – Zach Lowe (3:11)
• “Once you’re caught in the middle of this, knowingly, you’re going to get banned from the league.” – Zach Lowe (13:34)
• “When someone is battling addiction, you’re not making good decisions at that point, right? You’re in the thralls of an addiction.” – David Purdum (23:51)
• “He [Wembanyama] seems so focused… I can’t think of another superstar with this potential that has this type of focus and drive.” – Blake Griffin (36:35)
• “[About Cam Johnson] He’s exactly what they need. …He’s going to benefit greatly from playing with Jokic.” – Blake Griffin (69:49)

V. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:59–27:36: NBA gambling scandals breakdown w/ David Purdum
• 28:40–73:14: Opening week NBA “overreactions” with Blake Griffin
  • 36:07 Walter Wembanyama performance
  • 54:09–66:06: Eastern Conference “Top 6”
  • 69:02–72:43: Non-All-Star X Factors
  • 72:48–73:14: Finals predictions
• 74:51–108:05: Trajan Langdon interview (Detroit Pistons)
  • 97:58–100:12: Young core and “Most Improved Player” (Ausar Thompson)
  • 102:09–107:22: Fun/personal section (baseball, Halloween)

Summary Takeaways

• The NBA’s legal betting era has created new and dangerous integrity threats—scandals range from old-school mafia poker scams to sophisticated prop-bet fixings by players and coaches. The weeds between “friendly” sharing and illicit tipping are hard to police—and players are already losing their careers.
• Opening week delivered early separation at the top—but OKC, Denver, and a young San Antonio are the real early eye-catchers.
• Victor Wembanyama’s rise is “terrifying”; the Spurs are already hurtling toward the Western elite.
• The Pistons, under Trajan Langdon, are building carefully around a young, connected trio, hoping patience will pay off—while their exec keeps the party going off the court.

For NBA fans who missed it, this spirited episode is equal parts news-break, hoops-nerd debate, and insight from the league’s upper reaches. The biggest questions: Can the NBA keep gambling from undermining its core? And who, after opening night, stands tallest among the new contenders?