The 2025-26 NBA season has just started, and we are already witnessing the biggest scandal in multiple decades: Terry Rozier and Damon Jones have all been involved in the FBI’s latest shakedown on a gambling scandal.
Rozier has been arrested on suspicion of being involved in illegal betting. As for Billups, the Portland Trail Blazers head coach has been arrested on charges of participating in illegal poker games.
Jones, on the other hand, has also been arrested due to alleged illegal gambling. But what’s interesting is that it also allegedly shockingly involves NBA superstar LeBron James.
How Is LeBron James Involved In the Gambling Scandal?
According to The Athletic, Jones shared secret information about James during the 2022-23 season.
“According to the indictment, Jones, a friend of James’ who was not an employee of the Lakers, sold or tried to profit from non-public information so that others could bet on it, including alleged co-conspirators Eric Earnest and Marves Fairley. It was about who would not be playing or if they would pull themselves out of games early,” the report mentions.
LeBron James was reportedly the player Damon Jones used inside info about before a Feb. 2023 Bucks–Lakers game, per @TheAthletic
Jones allegedly told others to bet on Milwaukee after learning LeBron would sit out with ankle soreness — before it was on the injury report. pic.twitter.com/Bop5TvVf76
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 23, 2025
The media outlet also mentioned that the Lakers star was unaware of how his name was used in this scandal. The Lakers also declined to comment on this situation, and it looks like it will remain that way while the FBI’s investigation continues.
Jones also allegedly shared secret information about another player from the Lakers team. Collecting the information from a trainer, Jones reportedly leaked the player’s status ahead of a Jan. 15, 2024, game. Another defendant, Marves Fairley, also allegedly bet $100,000 against the Lakers, as revealed.
The Lakers went on to win the game, prompting Fairley to ask Jones to repay him $2,500.
This wasn’t all, Jones also allegedly leaked information the following year. On Feb. 9, 2023, the Lakers faced off against the Bucks. The former NBA player texted an unknown individual that a Lakers player had been ruled out (even before he was on the injury report), instructing them to bet on the Bucks.
The DOJ also mentioned that Jones reportedly leaked information about another player during the 2023-24 season, who became one of the team’s best players.
FBI Director Kash Patel said, “This is an illegal gambling and rigging operation that spanned the course of years. This fraud is historic in its scheme.”
The NBA has not declared any action against Jones since he is no longer in the league. But Rozier and Billups have been placed on immediate leave, which suggests their careers are at stake right now.
