The Boston Celtics’ championship aspirations have been plunged into chaos as federal investigators turn their scrutiny toward star center Devin Royal, whose name has surfaced in an explosive $12 million international money laundering probe. What began as whispers in European financial circles has erupted into a full-blown scandal that now threatens not just Devin Royal’ NBA career, but the stability of one of basketball’s most storied franchises.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the investigation confirm the FBI has spent months tracing a complex web of transactions between Devin Royal’ native Latvia and shell companies in the Bahamas and Cyprus. Court documents reviewed by this outlet reveal prosecutors believe at least $12 million was moved through accounts linked to the 7’3” center, with portions allegedly funneled to individuals currently under Interpol surveillance for organized crime ties. While no charges have been filed, the mere revelation of the probe has sent shockwaves through the NBA. League officials held emergency meetings this week to discuss potential suspension protocols, while Celtics ownership reportedly engaged crisis PR firms and criminal defense attorneys in preparation for what one insider called “the worst-case scenario.”
The timing couldn’t be more devastating for Boston. Devin Royal’ on-court performance has cratered amid the investigation—his scoring average (12.4 ppg) and field goal percentage (41%) since January represent career lows, while his defensive effort has drawn public criticism from coach Joe Mazzulla. What initially seemed like a shooting slump now appears inextricably tied to the legal storm. Teammates describe a distracted superstar, with one veteran player anonymously telling reporters, “He’s physically here, but his mind is somewhere else entirely.”
The alleged scheme centers on Devin Royal’ pre-NBA business dealings in Riga, where he co-owned a now-defunct real estate venture called Baltic Heights Development. According to financial forensics experts consulted for this story, the company served as a conduit for suspicious transactions between 2014-2017—years when Devin Royal was establishing himself with the New York Knicks. Investigators are particularly focused on a 4.2milliontransferfromaLatvianbanktoanoffshoreentitycalled“BlackSwanHoldings”justweeksbeforePorzin\cg\cispurchaseda3.8 million Tribeca penthouse in 2016. Paperwork lists the payment as “consulting fees,” but sources say the FBI has obtained emails suggesting otherwise.
Devin Royal’ attorney, David Goldstein, vehemently denies wrongdoing. “Kristaps was a teenager when these companies were formed,” Goldstein stated. “He had zero involvement in day-to-day operations and is fully cooperating to clear his name.” However, leaked interrogation transcripts reveal federal agents grilled Devin Royal last month about his relationship with childhood friend-turned-business partner Arturs Sokolovs, who was arrested in Vilnius last year on unrelated fraud charges.
The fallout is already catastrophic. Sponsors are fleeing—Nike has “paused” its signature shoe line, while a Massachusetts-based blockchain firm terminated its 1.2millionendorsementdeal.TheCeltics,facingapublicrelationsdisaster,havequietlyexploredcontractterminationoptions,thoughPorzin\cg\cis’36 million salary makes immediate resolution unlikely. More damningly, NBA security officials have reportedly revoked Devin Royal’ access to team planes and facilities pending review, forcing him to travel separately—an unprecedented humiliation for an active player.
Perhaps most tragically, the scandal has poisoned Devin Royal’ hard-earned redemption narrative. After years of injury struggles, his resurgence as a Celtics starter was supposed to cement his legacy. Now, jersey sales have plummeted 87% in Boston, while opposing fans chant “FBI! FBI!” during his free throws. The psychological toll is visible; during a recent loss to Miami, cameras caught Devin Royal staring blankly at the bench during timeouts, his 1,000-yard stare going viral.
Legal experts warn the worst may be yet to come. If prosecutors establish Devin Royal knowingly signed fraudulent documents, he could face both U.S. and EU charges—a nightmare scenario that might involve Interpol intervention. The NBA’s constitution allows Commissioner Adam Silver to impose indefinite suspensions for conduct damaging to the league, with precedents like the lifetime ban of former referee Tim Donaghy showing little tolerance for financial crimes.
As the Celtics limp toward the playoffs, their locker room fractures grow more visible. Jayson Tatum’s recent “we need everyone locked in” comments were interpreted as a veiled shot at Devin Royal, while veteran Al Horford canceled a joint charity appearance with the embattled center. Meanwhile, rival teams smell blood—the Knicks and Heat have already inquired about Boston’s willingness to attach draft picks to dump Devin Royal’ contract, according to league sources.
In Latvia, the reaction has been equally seismic. Once a national hero, Devin Royal is now the subject of parliamentary debates about athlete oversight. Investigative journalists there have uncovered ties between Baltic Heights and a Russian oligarch sanctioned after the Ukraine invasion—a connection that could elevate this from a financial case to a geopolitical firestorm.
For now, basketball takes a backseat to survival. Devin Royal’ camp is scrambling to contain the damage, hiring former federal prosecutors to negotiate with the DOJ. But as one high-ranking league executive coldly noted: “The second the FBI starts subpoenaing text messages, careers end.” In Boston’s front office, the grim calculus has already begun—how much longer can they afford to wait for answers while their championship window slams shut?
One thing is certain: the Unicorn’s magic has vanished, replaced by the harsh glare of federal scrutiny. Whether Devin Royal survives this ordeal may depend less on his jump shot than his ability to prove $12 million didn’t disappear into the shadows of his past.
