Former Cleveland Cavaliers player and coach Damon Jones was arrested in a shocking gambling bust that also involved Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier. All three were taken into custody for varying levels of involvement in gambling. Jones’ arrest was the most surprising since he hasn’t coached in the NBA for seven years, but he still maintains connections with players across the league.
The Athletic reported that Jones used inside information about LeBron James in connection with the betting scandal. According to the Athletic, Jones tipped off an “unnamed co-conspirator” that James would sit out a February 2023 game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks, as information that was not yet public or known to oddsmakers. LeBron ultimately missed the game, and the Bucks went on to win 115-106.
Jones was not employed by the Lakers or any NBA team at the time, but his connection to James provided an unfair advantage. The stunning arrests tied to the gambling bust could become the dominant story of the NBA season, and LeBron’s name being involved makes the situation even more damaging.
LeBron’s Relationship With Damon Jones
Jones joined the Cavaliers in 2005 and quickly became a reliable outside shooter who helped LeBron build a team around his skill set. The two developed strong chemistry and played together on the 2007 Eastern Conference championship squad that fell short against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
James helped his former teammate secure an assistant coaching position with Cleveland from 2016 to 2018. The two maintained a close friendship off the court and shared a positive working relationship in various settings over the years. Jones’ natural access to information about LeBron’s health adds even more smoke to the fire as this story continues to unfold.
The use of this inside information allegedly led co-conspirators to place large bets and attempt to profit from the tip. FBI Director Kash Patel named Jones, Billups, and Rozier as the high-profile figures he believes are guilty. Jones’ alleged decision to exploit his knowledge of James’ game status has now forced LeBron’s name into the center of the scandal.
Did LeBron Help Damon Jones?
The next major question is whether LeBron had any intentional involvement in helping Jones profit from his missed game. James is not considered to be in any trouble, nor is he being accused of any wrongdoing. It’s entirely possible that one of his friends or family members inadvertently shared information about his status to Jones, allowing others to exploit it.
No other basketball player today matches LeBron’s prominence or popularity after dominating the league for decades. James already possesses immense wealth and would risk losing far more than any bettor could gain if he violated league rules. The most reasonable assumption is that LeBron was simply the player someone happened to have insider knowledge about.
Jones, however, is unlikely to receive a warm response from James after dragging his name into controversy once again. LeBron often finds himself at the center of massive stories simply by being one of the most polarizing figures in sports. If the allegations are true, Jones has not only betrayed his friend’s trust but also placed the entire NBA in a difficult position.
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