Damon Jones, who had restricted access to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season to work with LeBron James, allegedly shared non-public injury information about him with gamblers days after James broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record, according to a federal indictment.
A league source with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic that James was unaware Jones shared information about his playing status. The FBI investigation centers on a February 9, 2023 game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers that James missed due to ankle soreness.
The game occurred two days after James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Jones was not a Lakers employee but maintained access to the team’s locker room, planes and hotels while working with James during pregame workouts.
According to the indictment, Jones sold or attempted to profit from non-public information to alleged co-conspirators Eric Earnest and Marves Fairley. The information involved which players would not play or might exit games early.
Before the February 9 game, Jones texted an unnamed co-conspirator that a player was out and they should bet the Bucks. The player had not yet appeared on the injury report.
Jones also allegedly shared information about another top Lakers player ahead of a January 15, 2024 game after learning from a trainer the player was hurt. Fairley bet $100,000 against the Lakers for that game, though the injury report only listed the player as probable.
The Lakers won the January 15 game and the player performed normally. Fairley subsequently asked Jones to repay the $2,500 he paid for the information.
Jones played alongside James in Cleveland for three seasons between 2005 and 2008. The Lakers declined to comment when reached by The Athletic.