Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James Not Accused Of Any Wrongdoing In Illegal Sports Betting Scandal
NBA legend LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is not accused of any wrongdoing in the illegal sports betting scandal, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Former NBA player Damon 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.
“The federal indictment alleges that before a Lakers game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, 2023, Damon Jones texted a coconspirator to ‘get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight’ because LeBron James was going to be out,” McMenamin wrote.
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. Los Angeles lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games.
Jones had access to the Lakers’ locker room, planes and hotels during the 2022-23 season. James and Jones were teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons between 2005 and 2008. They are close friends.
The leading scorer in NBA history, James was unaware Jones shared info about his playing status.
“We’ve had two meetings on it already,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Thursday. “It’s obviously on the front of everyone’s awareness given the last two years, but other than that, there’s no other comment.”
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.
Arguably the best player in NBA history, James joined the Lakers in 2018. He guided the franchise to the 2020 championship against the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.
James is the oldest active player in the NBA. He turns 41 in December and has been in the league since 2003.
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