Damon Jones Reportedly Sold LeBron James' Private Injury Data to Bettors
As the fallout continues from the NBA gambling scandal, former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones allegedly sold injury reports of players to bettors, including LeBron James.
According to The Athletic, federal prosecutors allege that Jones discovered on the morning of Feb. 9, 2023, that “Player 3” would not play in the Lakers’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He went on to inform an unnamed co-conspirator to place a “big bet” on the Bucks because he was out. “Player 3” had not been named on the team’s injury report yet, but would also miss the game.
On Feb. 7, James became the NBA’s all-time scoring champ, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He would not play against the Bucks at the following game and was the only regular Lakers’ starter who didn’t play.
As the indictment continued, Jones allegedly shared information on another top Lakers player the following season before a game on Jan. 15, 2024. He was informed by a team trainer that the player was hurt and “his minutes or performance would be affected.”
Per the indictment, Marves Fairley, another defendant, allegedly bet $100,000 against the Lakers on the Jan. 15 game against the Bucks, although “the injury report simply said that the player was probable.” The Lakers went on to win the game, as the unnamed player played to form. Eventually, Fairley asked Jones “to repay him the $2,500 he was paid for the information.” Throughout his time with the team, Jones never held an official position.
While he was not mentioned by name in the charges against Jones, the player listed as “probable” with an ankle injury is believed to be former Laker Anthony Davis. In the game, Davis scored 27 points with 15 rebounds in the Lakers' win.
Around the league, Jones seemingly has a reputation for his gambling exploits. Former NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas, who was charged in July for his alleged involvement in an illegal poker ring, said that Jones had a history of losing to him in card games during the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Washington Wizards playoffs series in 2006.
“He was horrible at cards,” Arenas said to Sharpe on his “Club Shay Shay” podcast. “He owed me money. Every time we played them, I always used to scream out, ‘The Landlord is here. The Landlord needs his rent money.’”
Since the news of the scandal went public, Congress has asked to meet with NBA commissioner Adam Silver by Oct. 31.
