In the wake of Thursday’s NBA-related arrests amid an FBI probe into illegal sports gambling activities and poker games allegedly backed by the Mafia, the rest of the league is trying to wrap its head around the shocking development.

Al Horford told reporters Thursday that he doesn’t want to “jump to conclusions” and is waiting for more information on the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups — but the Warriors center did make a plea for the NBA to take player safety more seriously as sports betting becomes increasingly prominent nationwide.

“It’s much different. It looks aggressive at times,” Horford said of fan interactions worsening due to gambling before the Warriors’ home opener against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center. “And I understand we are professional athletes, this is the world we’re in and everything. But I think the league itself has to step in and probably do more to protect the players. And to be better. All of this comes with it; it’s the fan engagement. But also, there’s that other part.”

NBA players and athletes across the professional sports world have become subjected to abuse — mostly online — for their performances as bettors gamble on team and individual outcomes. As the NBA and sports as a whole become more entangled with the betting industry from a business perspective, Horford clearly believes protections need to be put in place to ensure player safety.

While the outcome of the FBI’s investigation and federal charges against Billups, Rozier and dozens of others remains to be seen, Warriors star Steph Curry doesn’t believe the NBA’s ethics are in jeopardy.

“I think on the whole, everybody’s very mindful of what to do, what not to do, and understanding the landscape of sports right now in general,” Curry said after Golden State’s overtime win against the Nuggets. “And that’s not just a NBA thing, this is new territory for everybody. So I think, on the whole, we all are very responsible.

“The integrity of the game is fine, and then obviously we let the situation play out, whatever happens. But I wouldn’t worry about that too much.”

Warriors forward Draymond Green reflected on the arrests while implying the NBA’s involvement with the legal gambling industry doesn’t have any correlation to the investigation.

“I was shocked,” Green said. “It’s a tough moment for the individuals involved, a tough moment for the league. But I’m not going to sit here and be like, ‘Man, you all partner with a gambling company, you open a can of worms.’ That can of worms can be open with partnering with gambling companies or not.

“Partnering with a gambling company is not going to make gambling more accessible to us. The accessibility is what it is.”

Gambling is very accessible to fans, regardless of the issues it might pose for players becoming involved. But Horford acknowledged betting and the fan interactions that come with it are just something players have to accept as part of the deal.

“It’s a very interesting time; it’s the first time as a league and a society we’re all living and going through it,” Horford said. “So I’m sure it will be worked out, and that will be better. But that comes with the territory and something we have to deal with.”

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast