The federal investigation into illegal gambling surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers has turned into something far more personal than a standard legal drama. What started as headlines about a former assistant has exposed a deep fracture between LeBron James and one of his oldest NBA friends.
Now, the questions aren’t just about wire fraud, they’re about betrayal, broken trust, and how a relationship that began in Cleveland’s court ended in FBI court filings.
What Do the Federal Charges Allege Against Damon Jones?
Damon Jones, a former Lakers assistant who had direct access to the team during the 2022-23 campaign, now faces a reality far removed from the NBA sidelines. Federal prosecutors indicted Jones on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty.
The allegations paint a picture of insider access sold for profit. According to court filings and reporting from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, prosecutors claim Jones fed non-public injury updates regarding James and Anthony Davis to gamblers. The scheme allegedly revolved around leveraging this sensitive information for financial kickbacks.
One piece of evidence stands out in the FBI’s filings: a text message Jones allegedly sent regarding a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The message was blunt about the stakes and the motivation.
“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out! [James] is out tonight. Bet enough so Djones can eat too now!!!” the text read. That game, played on Feb. 9, 2023, ended in a 115-106 loss for Los Angeles.
When Did the Bond Between Lebron James and Jones Break?
While the legal proceedings are recent, the distance between the two men is not. Windhorst reported that James had separated himself from Jones well before the indictments were handed down. This wasn’t just a casual workplace drift, either. Windhorst wrote, “At the time of the indictments, LeBron James and Damon Jones had not been on speaking terms for an extended period.”
LeBron James and Damon Jones have not been on speaking terms for an extended period, per @WindhorstESPN
(h/t @DALHoopsJournal) pic.twitter.com/jCEQCXifIA
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) November 24, 2025
This silence marks a sharp turn for a duo with history dating back to their playing days in Cleveland from 2005 to 2008. Jones eventually became a key part of James’ daily preparation in Los Angeles. A former staffer explained the significance of that role, noting, “LeBron is very into routines. For a while, shooting with D-Jones was part of his routine.”
The investigation cleared James of any involvement. Sources emphasize that he had no knowledge of the scheme, and the Lakers organization has fully cooperated with authorities. This included handing over documents and allowing an executive administrator and assistant trainer to share cell phone records voluntarily.
Jones now finds himself isolated. His attorneys have declined interview requests, a stark contrast to the bravado the former player once showed. Back in 2008, Jones famously said, “My confidence is never gone, never in my life. I usually come out on the other side smelling like roses.” Whether that holds in federal court remains to be seen.
