Damon Jones Accused Of Spilling Lebron James’ Game Status Secrets In La Lakers Betting Scandal

LA Lakers Insider Drama: Damon Jones in Hot Water

Yo, Lakers Nation, buckle up for some serious tea! Damon Jones, a buddy of LeBron James with special access to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022-23 season, has been accused of dropping confidential deets about King James’ playing status. According to a wild report from The Athletic, Jones allegedly shared insider info with gamblers right after LeBron broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record - talk about bad timing on the Hollywood hardwood!

This mess ties back to a February 9, 2023, clash between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, a game LeBron sat out due to ankle soreness. Just two days prior, he’d made history by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s top scorer. But while LeBron was nursing that injury, Jones is said to have tipped off betting circles about who wouldn’t be lacing up or might dip out early, per a federal indictment.

Betting on the Down-Low: The FBI Investigation

The FBI’s sports betting investigation is serving up more drama than a Real Housewives reunion in Beverly Hills. The indictment claims Jones wasn’t just chatting - he was allegedly selling or trying to cash in on this non-public info alongside co-conspirators like Eric Earnest and Marves Fairley. A league source spilled to The Athletic that LeBron had zero clue Jones was dishing out his status updates like free swag at a SoCal summer bash.

“Man, if true, this cuts deep - trust is everything in this game, on and off the court,” a source close to the Lakers roster reportedly said.

The Lakers organization? They’re staying mum for now, declining to comment when The Athletic reached out. Meanwhile, the plot thickens with claims Jones also leaked info on another top Lakers player before a January 15, 2024, game. Word from a trainer about an injury led to Fairley dropping a cool $100K bet against the Lakers, though the team pulled off the W and the player balled out despite being listed as ‘probable.’ Fairley wasn’t happy - he even demanded Jones refund the $2,500 he’d paid for the tip!

More Games, More Gossip: The Lakers’ Inner Circle

Before that fateful Bucks game on February 9, 2023, Jones reportedly texted an unnamed co-conspirator to bet on Milwaukee because a key player was out - info not yet on the injury report. He’s also accused of spilling tea on the 2023-24 Lakers roster, including a star dubbed ‘Player 4’ by the Department of Justice, noted as one of the team’s best that season. LeBron himself missed the next two games after the Bucks matchup, only returning for the final showdown before the All-Star break on February 15, 2023.

Now, let’s clear this up - Jones wasn’t officially on the Lakers’ coaching staff during 2022-23. But he was tight enough with LeBron to join pregame workouts at Crypto.com Arena (that’s downtown LA’s iconic home of the Lakers, for our out-of-town fam) and had access to the locker room, team planes, and hotels. This isn’t their first rodeo either - Jones and LeBron go way back, having played together in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008.

What’s Next for This Malibu-Style Mess?

This scandal is hotter than a Santa Ana wind, and it’s got everyone in LA buzzing. How did someone with such close ties to LeBron and the Lakers allegedly play fast and loose with game-changing info? The feds are digging deep, and you know the paparazzi and fans alike are watching every move like it’s a red carpet premiere in Hollywood.

As this story unfolds, one thing’s for sure - trust is gonna be harder to come by than a parking spot on Sunset Boulevard. Will this betting probe shake up the Lakers’ inner circle, or is it just another day in the drama-filled world of NBA stardom? Stick with us as we keep tabs on this SoCal sports saga!