Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James Was Unaware Damon Jones Shared Info About His Playing Status
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was unaware Damon Jones shared info about his playing status, according to NBA reporters Dan Woike, Mike Vorkunov, Joe Vardon and Mike Prada of The Athletic.
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.
Jones played with James on the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons between 2005 and 2008. They are close friends.
“Damon Jones, a friend of LeBron James’ who was not an employee of the Lakers, sold or tried to profit from non-public information so that others could bet on it, including alleged co-conspirators Eric Earnest and Marves Fairley,” The Athletic wrote. “It was about who would not be playing or if they would pull themselves out of games early. A league source with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic that James was unaware that Jones shared information about his playing status.”
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 legend’s pregame workouts.
Jones also had access to the team’s locker room, planes and hotels.
“Before the Feb. 9, 2023, Lakers game against the Bucks, Jones texted an unnamed co-conspirator that a player was out and they should bet the Bucks,” The Athletic wrote. “The player was not yet on the injury report. He also gave information on the 2023-24 Lakers, including Player 4, who the DOJ said was one of the Lakers’ best players that season. James also did not play in the Lakers’ next two games before returning in the team’s final game before the All-Star break on Feb. 15, 2023.”
The leading scorer in NBA history, James has one year left on his contract with the Lakers. He becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason for the first time since 2018.
James joined the Lakers in 2018. He led the franchise to the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.
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