Former NBA Player Damon Jones Arrested in Illegal Betting Investigation Involving LeBron James Injury Tip

Former NBA guard Damon Jones, who played 11 seasons in the league, was arrested Thursday on charges that he allegedly shared confidential injury information about a “prominent” basketball player to aid illegal sports betting operations, authorities announced.

A source close to LeBron James confirmed to ESPN that James was the player referenced in the case.

James himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing, according to the indictment.

Jones was among 34 individuals arrested — including Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier — in a sweeping, multi-state investigation that federal officials say uncovered tens of millions of dollars in illicit betting activities, FBI director Kash Patel said.

According to authorities, the probe involved two related cases: one centered on illegal sports wagering, and another linked to Mafia-run poker games.

Jones, who was once an unofficial, unpaid member of former Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s staff, no longer has any association with the team under current coach JJ Redick. Ham reportedly invited Jones to participate in team activities after James spent the 2022 offseason training with him.

Sources said James was unaware of any gambling-related activities by Jones, his former teammate and assistant coach during their time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when Jones was around the Lakers organization during the 2022–23 season.

Federal investigators allege that before a February 9, 2023, matchup between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, Jones sent a message to a co-conspirator instructing them to “get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight,” claiming that James would not play.

Two days earlier, on February 7, 2023, James had made history by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He then missed three consecutive games due to left ankle soreness.

Jones allegedly followed up his message with another text: “Bet enough so Djones can eat [too] now!!!”

Without James on the court, the Bucks defeated the Lakers 115–106.

The indictment further claims that Jones shared additional nonpublic injury details with a co-conspirator before a Lakers game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 15, 2024.

When reached for comment Thursday morning, the Lakers declined to comment on the allegations against Jones.