Details of LeBron James’ injury status were sold by his pal and former Los Angeles Lakers coach Damon Jones as part of a massive prop betting scheme, according to court docs and law enforcement sources.
Jones, an ex Cleveland Cavs player and “unofficial assistant coach” for the Lakers during the 2022-2023 season, sent a message to one of the betting ring members on Feb. 9, 2023 urging him to place a large bet on the Lakers’ opponent the Milwaukee Bucks, because James would be out with an injury that night, the sources told The Post.
NBA giant LeBron James was dragged into the vast gambling scandal uncovered by the feds. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
James and Damon Jones seen together as teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2006. NBAE via Getty Images
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“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!,” Jones texted, according to the indictment.
The player, whom sources identified as James, did not play after reporting a lower body injury, and the Lakers lost.
Jones is a longtime friend of James who played with him on the Cavs earlier in James’ career.
Jones also separately received $2,500 for hawking a supposed injury tip — which turned out to be bogus — about another Lakers star player before a Jan. 15, 2024 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jones greeting James before a game in 2023. NBAE via Getty Images
Court papers say that Jones claimed to have learned from the Lakers trainer that “one of the Lakers’ best players during the 2023-2024 season” was injured and only going to play a limited amount of minutes that night. Jones told co-defendant Eric “Spook” Earnest, who shared the tip with Marves Fairley, who touted himself online as a successful sports better who used the moniker “Vezino Locks,” court papers say.
Fairley then placed a $100,000 bet against the Lakers. However, the star player played in the game after all and the Lakers won, 112-105.
Jones allegedly sold details on James’ injury status before games to gamblers. NBAE via Getty Images
The mystery player was not named, but the Lakers were led in scoring that night by multi-time All Star Anthony Davis, who put up 27 points that night in the win.
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A fed-up Fairley afterward requested that Jones pay the $2,500 back, but Jones insisted that he had still received “credible non-public information” regarding the unnamed player that day. It’s unclear if Jones returned the money.