Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith clash over FBI gambling probe allegedly involving NBA figures: 'That's stupidity'

FBI New York assistant director in charge Christopher Raia explains the process of investigating the main players of the NBA gambling scandal on ‘The Will Cain Show.’

The biggest story in sports, let alone the NBA, was the FBI gambling probe that was announced on Thursday, which involved the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones among many others. 

During ESPN’s "Inside The NBA," the panel of Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley discussed the situation, but it resulted in a bit of a heated back and forth between Smith and Barkley. 

Smith began with his lengthy take on the situation. 

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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse after a hearing following his arrest on federal gambling charges in Portland, Oregon, U.S., Oct. 23, 2025. (REUTERS/John Rudoff)

"We look at players who are involved and people who are involved, we’re surprised when you have access and you’re at the top of the game, so to speak as a coach or a player or whatever at the top of the game, you have access to millions of dollars in this league. So, it was surprising that they put themselves in that position possibly. Innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Smith’s next point is what ticked off Barkley, who was visibly frustrated at the desk.

"I think the other part is you have to realize gambling is an addiction, so the addiction of it is what makes you make illogical decisions," Smith continued. "… The FBI Director [Kash Patel] said, there’s a man who lost $1.8 million. That means he has a lot of money, so he has an addiction to that. Those