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Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering stemming from two separate illegal gambling cases.
To remain free, he used his mother and stepfather’s home as collateral for a $200,000 bond.
Jones is one of three defendants in both the alleged poker ring and NBA betting cases. He allegedly told someone close to him that a “prominent” Lakers player, widely speculated to be LeBron James, would not be playing on Feb. 9, 2023, before the information became public.
James did not play in the game due to an ankle injury. The game in question took place two days after James scored 38 points to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
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A sketch of former NBA player Damon Jones (left) with his attorney Kenneth Montgomery before Judge Ramon Reyes in federal court in New York on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Jones has pleaded not guilty to gambling charges. (Jane Rosenberg)
Jones also allegedly gave inside information on another “one of the Lakers’ best players” 11 months later, speculated to be Anthony Davis, regarding an injury that would likely affect his performance. In the end, that backfired because the player “performed well” and the Lakers won.
Jones is also alleged to have participated in and profited from rigged poker games, using him as a “face card,” along with Chauncey Billups, to lure victims into playing with celebrities.
Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were arrested as part of an alleged illegal poker scheme. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images; Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
HOW CHAUNCEY BILLUPS AND DAMON JONES WERE USED TO FORCE VICTIMS TO PARTICIPATE IN ILLEGAL POKER GAMES
In response to being taught how to cheat, Jones responded, “Lol, call Djones because you know I know what I’m doing!” according to the Department of Justice.
Despite going undrafted out of Houston in 1997, Jones played 11 seasons in the NBA. The definition of a journeyman, Jones played for 10 teams and earned more than $20 million in his career. Throughout his time, he was teammates with prominent stars, including James, during his three-year stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008. He also spent one season with Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal with the Miami Heat.
He became a coach after his playing career, winning a title with James and the Cavs in 2016 as an assistant. Jones joined the Lakers, James’ current team, as an unofficial and unpaid member of the coaching staff for the 2022-23 season.
LeBron James, left, talks with Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue (not pictured) and former teammate Damon Jones, right, during an outside practice on the day before the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on June 6, 2017. (Carlos Ávila González/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
So far, more than 30 people have been arrested in both investigations. Jones is due back in court on November 24.
