URGENT UPDATE: Former NBA player Damon Jones has been arrested for allegedly leaking privileged injury information regarding LeBron James to facilitate illegal sports betting, authorities announced on Thursday. This shocking development is part of a broader investigation that has implicated 34 individuals, including Chauncey Billups, coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Terry Rozier, guard for the Miami Heat.
The investigation, spearheaded by the FBI, spans nearly a dozen states and involves tens of millions of dollars in illegal gambling activities. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest while detailing two separate cases: one focused on illegal sports betting and another concerning rigged poker games linked to organized crime.
According to sources, LeBron James is not accused of any wrongdoing in this indictment. Jones, who previously served as an unofficial assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, is said to have communicated with a co-conspirator just before a crucial Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 2023. He allegedly sent a text stating, “get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight” due to James’s absence from the game because of ankle soreness. The Lakers ultimately lost the game, 115-106.
The indictment further claims that Jones provided non-public information related to a Lakers game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 15, 2024, again involving illicit betting practices. The Lakers organization has not commented on the allegations against Jones as of Thursday morning.
Jones had previously been involved in LeBron James’s offseason training and was reportedly unaware of Jones’s gambling activities during the 2022-23 season. This scandal raises significant concerns about the integrity of NBA games and the potential impact on fans and players alike.
As authorities continue their investigation, this case underscores the urgent need for accountability in sports betting practices. The implications of this scandal could have long-lasting effects on the NBA and its players. Fans are left wondering what this means for the future of their favorite teams and the integrity of the games they love.
Next Steps: As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge about the depth of these connections and the extent of illegal activities within sports betting circles. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.