Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was unaware his name would surface in the NBA’s latest gambling scandal after his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate and close friend Damon Jones was arrested Thursday in a federal betting investigation that also led to the arrests of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier.
The Athletic reported that Jones allegedly used non-public information about James in connection with illegal gambling activities. According to the report, Jones tipped off a “co-conspirator” that James would sit out a February 2023 game for the Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks, information that had not yet been released to oddsmakers or the public. James ultimately missed the game, and Milwaukee won 115–106.
Jones was not employed by the Lakers or any NBA team at the time, but investigators said his relationship with James and other league figures gave him access to information that was not publicly available.
In the same report, James was cleared of any wrongdoing.
“A league source with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic that James was unaware that Jones shared information about his playing status,” the report said.
NBA Releases Statement on Gambling Investigation
The NBA issued an official statement Thursday night acknowledging the federal indictments and confirming that Billups and Rozier had been placed on immediate leave.
“We are in the process of reviewing the federal indictments announced today,” the statement said. “Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups are being placed on immediate leave from their teams, and we will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities. We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and the integrity of our game remains our top priority.”
The league said it will continue monitoring the federal case as it unfolds.
Jones Accused of Leaking Private Lakers Injury Information
According to USA Today, Jones is also accused of sharing confidential player-health information about another Lakers game — a Jan. 15, 2024 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Court documents allege Jones told a bettor that a “Player 4,” described as one of the Lakers’ top performers, was dealing with an injury and would play limited minutes. That player, later identified by law-enforcement officials as Anthony Davis, was listed as “probable” on the team’s injury report.
Prosecutors said Jones received a $2,500 payment through a peer-to-peer mobile app for the information. A co-defendant, Marves Fairley, allegedly wagered $100,000 on the Lakers to lose. The plan failed — Davis played 35 minutes, scored 27 points with 15 rebounds, and the Lakers won.
Connection Between Jones and James Dates Back Years
GettyDamon Jones and LeBron James before an NBA Playoff game.
Jones, 49, and James were teammates with the Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, forming part of the 2007 squad that advanced to the NBA Finals. James later supported Jones’ transition into coaching, helping him secure an assistant-coaching position with Cleveland from 2016 to 2018.
Jones has not held an NBA coaching job since 2018 but is known to maintain relationships with several current and former players.
Broader Gambling Investigation Expands
Jones, Billups, and Rozier were each taken into custody for alleged involvement in the same betting network. Federal prosecutors said the investigation is connected to a wider gambling probe that earlier this year led former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter to plead guilty to conspiracy charges. Porter admitted to providing insider information to bettors and faces sentencing in December.
The allegations against Jones represent a further test for the NBA’s efforts to safeguard the integrity of its games amid the rapid expansion of legalized sports betting in the United States.
Jones has not commented publicly on the charges. The Lakers and James’ representatives have declined to comment.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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