Los Angeles Lakers Star LeBron James, Damon Jones Have Not Been On Speaking Terms For An Extended Period
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Damon Jones have not been on speaking terms for an extended period, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Jones, who had restricted access with the Lakers during the 2022-23 season to work with James, is alleged to have shared non-public information about James with gamblers.
James had no idea Jones was sharing info about his playing status.
Jones told gamblers that James wouldn’t play against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 2023 before the Lakers made the announcement. Without James, Los Angeles lost to Milwaukee by a final score of 115-106 at home.
“At the time of the indictments, LeBron James and Damon Jones had not been on speaking terms for an extended period, sources said,” Windhorst wrote. “The falling out with James was hard on Jones, both personally and for his job prospects, he told several people over the past few years.”
Jones wasn’t an official member of the Lakers’ coaching staff during the 2022-23 season, but he did work with James during the NBA icon’s pregame workouts.
Jones also had access to the team’s locker room, planes and hotels. The former NBA guard played with James on the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons between 2005 and 2008. They used to be close friends.
In court documents, prosecutors said the FBI uncovered a text message from Jones to one of the gamblers in which he encouraged a big bet on the Bucks in a game in which James was not expected to play.
“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! [James] is out tonight. Bet enough so Djones can eat too now!!!”
Jones pleaded not guilty to charges that he profited from rigged poker games and provided sports bettors with non-public information about injuries to James and Anthony Davis.
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