The FBI’s sweeping investigation into gambling activities involving current and former NBA personnel now includes allegations that ex-player and coach Damon Jones provided bettors with private information about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. According to The Athletic, a league source said James did not know Jones was distributing details about his availability.
Jones, a former teammate and longtime friend of James, was among those taken into custody Thursday morning as federal agents announced multiple arrests tied to sports wagering and an illegal poker ring. While Jones spent occasional time around the Lakers in recent seasons, he never held an official position with the franchise.
Suspicious 2023 Lakers-Bucks Game
Investigators cited a Feb. 9, 2023 matchup between the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks as one of the games flagged for unusual betting patterns. James sat out that contest, which came two days after he eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring record and on the NBA trade deadline that brought D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley to Los Angeles. The undermanned Lakers fell 115-106.
Despite Jones’s alleged actions, neither the Lakers nor James are subjects of any current FBI or NBA inquiry, the report said.
Broader Federal Probe
Thursday’s arrests also included Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier for suspected wagering on NBA games and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups in connection with a Mafia-linked poker operation. Authorities believe Jones had roles in both schemes.
James Focused on Recovery
While the investigation unfolds, James is rehabilitating from sciatica that is expected to sideline him at the start of the regular season. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who has dealt with the same condition, publicly wished James a swift recovery.
Source: Lakers Nation
