Kevin Garnett has never been one to shy away from the spotlight, whether it’s for his fiery passion on the court, his unfiltered takes about today’s NBA stars, or his mentorship of rising talent.
During the 2025 offseason, the Hall of Famer was praised for working closely with San Antonio Spurs cornerstone Victor Wembanyama, and he earned widespread respect for his leadership and wisdom.
Many fans hoped that this positive energy would carry into the new NBA season. But now, Garnett’s name is making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and this time, it’s tied to a shocking gambling scandal that has stunned the basketball world.
What Has Been Revealed Regarding Kevin Garnett?
According to sports journalist Pablo Torre, a recent investigation has uncovered that multiple professional athletes, including some from the NBA, took part in exclusive underground poker games that were later revealed to be rigged.
Torre has learned that Garnett was reportedly among the participants and had joined one of these high-stakes poker sessions back in 2019.
“UPDATE: A number of former pro athletes played at private poker games organized by those indicted by the DOJ in ‘Operation Royal Flush. One of them — according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of a game that took place in 2019 — was Kevin Garnett,” Torre wrote on his X.
REPORT: Former NBA star Kevin Garnett was among the former athletes who took part in a 2019 private poker game tied to individuals indicted in the DOJ’s “Operation Royal Flush.” per @PabloTorre. pic.twitter.com/WnpHL4pHpl
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 24, 2025
Garnett isn’t the only NBA name linked to this growing controversy, as Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has already been arrested in connection with the same poker operation.
Federal prosecutors claim Billups was involved in a string of luxury poker games that were secretly manipulated by mafia affiliates to deceive wealthy participants.
The scheme reportedly involved using hidden cameras, marked decks, and even X-ray-enabled poker tables designed to give certain players an unbeatable edge. Authorities estimate that these rigged games scammed victims out of at least $7 million.
Almost immediately after the news broke, social media lit up with a recurring sentiment: “Was he getting scammed or scamming?” Though laced with irony, the question isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.
A 2022 article by Jon Krawczynski for “The Athletic” revealed that Garnett was never known for his gambling acumen despite his massive NBA earnings. In fact, he sometimes intentionally lost card games against teammates, reportedly out of discomfort with how much money he made compared to others.
This history paints a picture of a man who valued camaraderie over competition at the table, making his involvement in a rigged game all the more suspicious.
But there’s another strange, or rather a fun, twist. Torre’s timeline places Garnett’s involvement around 2019. It is the very same year the movie Uncut Gems was released. The film, which starred Adam Sandler and featured Garnett playing himself, revolved around the chaotic world of betting and risk-taking.
As for the legal side, Billups has been placed on administrative leave by the NBA pending further investigation. Reports state he’s been required to post a hefty bond, surrender his passport, and avoid all gambling-related activity until his next court hearing on November 24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Meanwhile, Garnett’s situation remains uncertain, with no official charges announced.
