Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups charged in illegal poker operation tied to Mafia: Sources

[MichMan]

18. Who is Damon Jones, and how is he involved?

Damon Jones is an 11-year NBA veteran, most prominently with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, who would later go on to become an assistant coach for the Cavaliers for three seasons. He is the only NBA figure to have been charged in both indictments: the sports-rigging operation and the illegal poker games.

He allegedly passed along insider information in regards to the two Laker games that are under investigation while also serving as one of the big names used to lure in players for the illegal poker games. Jones is a friend, former teammate and coach to LeBron James, and he had restricted access to the Lakers during the 2022-23 season. According to the indictment, before a Feb. 9, 2023, game between the Lakers and Bucks, Jones texted a co-conspirator that they should bet on the game because a player was out. James wound up sitting that game. James was not aware that Jones shared information about his playing status, according to The Athletic.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-illegal-gambling-investigation-explained/