LeBron James is under scrutiny in the NBA’s gambling investigation, despite missing the 2025 season due to sciatica. Attention centers on former Los Angeles Lakers shooting coach Damon Jones and his connections to James and the team’s inner circle.
The league has requested extensive records, including phones and documents from at least ten Lakers employees as assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims have already provided their devices and cooperated with authorities.
Both Mancias and Mims have close ties to James. Mims has known him since his high school years in Akron, while Mancias has served as James‘ trainer for nearly 20 years so their association with the Lakers has drawn renewed scrutiny amid the ongoing investigation.
Jones, arrested last month in gambling-related charges alongside Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland coach Chauncey Billups, pleaded not guilty. His one-year unofficial role with the Lakers stemmed largely from his previous working relationship with James.
Despite lacking official NBA credentials, Jones reportedly traveled with the team, engaged in locker room activities, and participated in card games whilst his presence and popularity in the organization have complicated efforts to assess his alleged gambling misconduct.
LeBron‘s inner circle has been previously investigated. Longtime partner Maverick Carter was linked to a bookie indicted in an offshore betting ring in 2023. Carter faced accusations of providing false statements to investigators but was ultimately not charged.
Currently, James, Mancias, and Mims have not been accused of wrongdoing or named in legal filings. The league continues to review documents, conduct interviews, and determine whether Jones‘ actions involved others or were isolated to him.
Did Damon Jones leak news about LeBron James?
Federal prosecutors allege Damon Jones exploited his NBA access to sell confidential player information. He reportedly used a “prominent NBA player,” referred to as Player 3, to obtain insights that he then provided to bettors for profit.
One example occurred in February 2023. Jones allegedly learned Player 3 would not play against the Milwaukee Bucks and instructed a co-conspirator to place a “big bet” before the news was public.
Although no clear evidence points to it just yet, LeBron did not play that night. Then in January 2024, Jones allegedly sold information about Player 4 as a trainer informed him of an injury that would likely reduce performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Prosecutors argue this represents a repeated scheme exploiting inside knowledge as officials claim these incidents show a pattern in which Jones leveraged confidential team information for gambling advantages.
His longstanding relationship with the Lakers allowed him access to private and valuable data unavailable to the public.
Investigators are analyzing communications, financial records, and staff interviews to determine if Jones acted alone or if other team personnel were involved in the scheme, seeking to understand the scope of potential NBA rule violations.
While LeBron‘s name has surfaced due to his association with Jones, sources stress he has not been implicated. Authorities appear focused on Jones‘ exploitation of Lakers staff and insider knowledge, rather than on star players themselves.
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