Former NBA Player Damon Jones Arrested for Allegedly Leaking LeBron James Injury Information
Former NBA player Damon Jones was arrested Thursday as part of a federal investigation into illegal sports betting operations. According to sources, Jones allegedly provided privileged injury information about Lakers star LeBron James to facilitate betting on games. The indictment claims Jones texted co-conspirators about James' playing status before key matchups, including a 2023 game against the Milwaukee Bucks. James was not accused of any wrongdoing in the case, which involved 34 arrests across multiple states.
Federal authorities have arrested former NBA player Damon Jones amid allegations that he disclosed privileged injury information about Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James to facilitate illegal sports betting operations. The arrest, part of a broader investigation spanning nearly a dozen states, highlights growing concerns about insider information compromising the integrity of professional sports.
The Federal Investigation
The FBI's investigation resulted in 34 arrests, including prominent figures such as Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. According to ESPN reporting, the case involved two separate operations—one focusing on illegal sports betting and another on rigged poker games connected to organized crime. The scale of the investigation underscores the significant financial stakes involved, with authorities describing operations involving tens of millions of dollars.
Allegations Against Damon Jones
Jones, who played 11 seasons in the NBA and later served as an unofficial, unpaid member of former Lakers coach Darvin Ham's staff, allegedly used his insider access to provide nonpublic information about James' playing status. The federal indictment specifically cites a text message Jones sent before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 2023, where he instructed a co-conspirator to "get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight" because James would be unavailable due to injury.
The indictment further alleges that Jones added: "Bet enough so Djones can eat [too] now!!!" indicating his financial interest in the betting outcome. Without James in the lineup, the Bucks defeated the Lakers 115-106. Authorities also claim Jones provided similar insider information before a Lakers-Thunder game in January 2024.
Team Response and League Protocols
Current Lakers coach JJ Redick addressed the situation after practice, emphasizing that the team has reinforced the NBA's anti-gambling policies. "We've had two meetings on it already," Redick told reporters. "It's obviously on the front of everyone's awareness given the last two years." The Lakers organization declined to comment specifically on the allegations against Jones when contacted by ESPN.
James himself was unaware of Jones' alleged gambling activities during their time together, according to sources close to the situation. The Lakers star had maintained a professional relationship with Jones dating back to their time as teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers and had included him in offseason workouts during the summer of 2022.
Broader Implications for Sports Integrity
This case represents one of the most significant gambling-related scandals in recent NBA history and comes amid the league's expanded partnerships with legal sports betting operators. The allegations raise important questions about how teams monitor and control access to sensitive player health information, particularly involving unofficial staff members and consultants.
The timing of the alleged incidents is particularly notable, as the text message about James' injury status occurred just two days after the Lakers star passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. James ultimately missed three consecutive games due to left ankle soreness during that period.
As legal sports betting continues to expand across the United States, professional sports leagues face increasing challenges in maintaining game integrity and preventing insider information from influencing betting markets. The Jones case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist even within trusted team environments.
