Portland's head coach Chauncey Billups has bolstered his legal stance in the case involving illegal betting and poker. Following his October arrest, he brought in Mark Mukasi — one of the most sought-after white-collar defense attorneys, whose practice is tied to high-profile federal investigations and clients of national prominence.
Defense's Trump Card: Mukasi's Profile
Mark Mukasi specializes in complex criminal and regulatory matters where the reputation and careers of public figures are at stake. His portfolio includes the defense of U.S. Navy special operations serviceman Eddie Gallagher, for whom a court in 2019 did not uphold the murder charges. Mukasi has also represented Donald Trump's real estate company and the former president's charitable organization. Adding further weight to his name is a family connection: he is the son of former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasi.
Footprint in NBA Cases: The Aspiration and Clippers Episode
The attorney has already intersected with basketball affairs. Earlier, he worked with Joe Sanberg — co-founder of the financial company Aspiration, which figured in a review concerning a possible circumvention of the Clippers' salary cap during the signing of free agent Kawhi Leonard. This episode once again brings to the fore questions of compliance with the NBA collective bargaining agreement and the transparency of side agreements surrounding contracts.
Timeline of the Proceedings: From Arrest to Strategy
Billups was arrested on October 23 as part of a federal investigation related to illegal betting and poker activity. Initially, he was represented by attorney Chris Haywood, who stated on the day of the arrest that they would contest the charges. The involvement of Mukasi signals a shift to a more aggressive and finely tuned defense strategy — with an emphasis on procedural details and work with federal authorities.
Impact on the Team: Between the Bench and the Courtroom
For Portland, the situation means having to balance between the sporting agenda and the legal uncertainty surrounding the head coach. In the NBA, adherence to rules — from the salary cap to the code of conduct — is under the league’s close scrutiny, and any investigation of this scale creates a backdrop the club and staff must account for in day-to-day work: rotation planning, locker-room communication, and the public-facing part of the season.
The Final Buzzer Is Still Ahead
At this stage, it is premature to talk about a resolution. Billups’s team is positioning itself for a hard legal fight, and the choice of an experienced white-collar attorney suggests deliberate preparation for a long haul — with possible motions, negotiations, and meticulous work on the evidentiary base. In the near term, the key will be not only the quality of the Trail Blazers’ play on the floor but also the effectiveness of procedural 'plays' in court, where any miscue can cost points no less than a missed shot in crunch time.
