Source Close To Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James: ‘Unfortunate’ Damon Jones Shared Info About His Playing Status
A source close to NBA legend LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers told The Athletic that it’s “unfortunate” Damon Jones shared info about his playing status.
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.
“LeBron James, a source close to him told The Athletic, was unaware that someone he considered a friend was tipping information about him and the Lakers to gamblers, and a second source close to James called it ‘unfortunate’ that Damon Jones allegedly traded on the access James gave him.”
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 are close friends.
“It was a weird deal,” one Lakers source told The Athletic. “We really enjoyed being around him because he’s a really funny dude. He’s a great storyteller. But he was never a part of the staff.”
“He was a vibes guy,” another Lakers source said in describing Jones as someone well-stocked with outlandish stories, good cigars and plenty of time on his hands.
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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