A new bombshell indictment against former NBA player Damon Jones has emerged, raising serious allegations about his conduct while associated with the Los Angeles Lakers. The indictment claims that Jones leaked confidential information regarding the injury status of superstar LeBron James to sports bettors prior to a crucial game in February 2023. Notably, James is not implicated in any wrongdoing according to the federal indictment, which accuses Jones, aged 49, and several others of defrauding betting companies.
At the time of the alleged incident, Damon Jones was serving as an unofficial coach for the Lakers. The indictment highlights that he had previously played alongside LeBron James during their tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite their past connection, James' spokesperson has refrained from commenting on the matter when approached by CNBC.
The indictment refers to an unidentified individual, labeled as Player 3. It states that Jones was both a teammate and coach of this prominent player. On the morning of a pivotal game on February 9, 2023, between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, Jones allegedly sent a text message to a co-conspirator, urging them to place a large bet on the Bucks before the private information became public. The text reportedly read: 'Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! Player 3 is out tonight. Bet enough so Djones can eat ... now!'
According to the indictment, when Jones disclosed this non-public information about Player 3, the player was still listed as active on the NBA's injury report. LeBron James ultimately sat out the February 9 game due to a lower-body injury, specifically to his ankle. Furthermore, the indictment specifies that Player 3 did not participate in the game due to a lower-body injury, indicating a direct link between Jones' actions and the betting landscape surrounding the Lakers' matchup.
Interestingly, the only other Lakers player who did not play in that game was Scotty Pippen Jr., who was in concussion protocol and did not have a lower-body injury. Ultimately, the Bucks triumphed over the Lakers with a score of 115 to 106, having entered the game as an average favorite by 8 points according to various betting odds.
Sources familiar with LeBron James' situation have confirmed that he was unaware that the information he possessed would be exploited for betting purposes. This adds another layer of complexity to an already troubling situation for the NBA and its reputation.
The allegations against Damon Jones not only raise questions about integrity in sports but also highlight the increasing scrutiny surrounding betting practices in professional athletics. As this story develops, it will be interesting to see how the NBA addresses these serious accusations.
