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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 stay free, he used his mother and stepfather’s house as collateral for $200,000 bail.
Jones is one of three defendants in the alleged poker ring and NBA betting cases. He reportedly told a relative that a “prominent” Lakers player, widely believed to be LeBron James, would not play on February 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, November 6, 2025. Jones has pleaded not guilty to the gambling charges. (Jeanne Rosenberg)
Jones also allegedly gave inside information about another “one of the Lakers’ best players” 11 months later, believed to be Anthony Davis, regarding an injury that could affect his performance. This ultimately backfired because the player “played well” and the Lakers won.
Jones also allegedly participated in and benefited from rigged poker games, being used as a “face card”, alongside Chauncey Billups, to lure victims into playing with celebrities.
Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones were arrested in connection with 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 MIND VICTIMS FROM ILLEGAL POKER GAMES
In response to being coached on how to cheat, Jones responded, “Lol man, y’all call Djones cause y’all know I know what I’m doing!!” according to the Department of Justice.
Although he went 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 over $20 million during his career. Throughout his tenure, he was teammates with A-list stars, including James, during his three-year stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008. He also spent a season with Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal with the Miami Heat.
He moved into coaching 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, 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 off-day practice before the Golden State Warriors play the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on June 6, 2017. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
So far, more than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the two investigations. Jones is due back in court on November 24.
