NBA Star Damon Jones Accused of Leaking Info, Gambling with Mafia

Charges and Allegations

Former NBA player Damon Jones has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege he leaked inside information to bettors while he was a volunteer member of the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023. In a separate but related case, Jones is accused of participating in a rigged poker scheme linked to the Mafia.

Damon Jones: The Flashy Cavaliers Guard

Jones, known for his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008, drove flashy cars, wore flashy suits, and talked trash non-stop. His personalized car license plate, “4Point8,” referenced the time left on the clock when he hit the biggest shot of his career: a triple in overtime on May 5, 2006, to seal Game 6 and the first-round series against the Washington Wizards.

LeBron James Connection

Jones kept an on-again, off-again friendship with LeBron James for years. James was close to Jones during his time in Cleveland and then with the Lakers, where Jones was unofficially on the coaching staff in 2022-23. The Lakers’ famous “freeze” celebration after big triples was born from an inside joke about Jones’ reactions when he won big hands in cards.

Financial Troubles and Legal Issues

Jones earned more than $21 million in his career, but those who know him suspect he spent almost as fast as he earned. Between 2013 and 2024, Jones filed for bankruptcy twice, was sued at least four times for unpaid loans, and twice had eviction notices in Houston.

What’s Next?

The two federal cases include 34 defendants, and prosecutors said investigations will continue and could expand. There are still two unidentified conspirators described as former NBA players. Jones pleaded not guilty to both charges on November 8 and has refused to testify since the arrest.

Did you know?

• Jones’ personalized car license plate, “4Point8,” referenced the time left on the clock when he hit the biggest shot of his career.
• The Lakers’ famous “freeze” celebration after big triples was born from an inside joke about Jones’ reactions when he won big hands in cards.

Pro Tip

Jones’ overspending habit did not change after retirement. Friends and former colleagues say Jones frequently took out loans.

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