Investigators say Jones, who played alongside James in Cleveland, tipped off gamblers before a February 2023 matchup between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Investigators say Jones, who played alongside James in Cleveland before joining the Lakers in an unofficial staff role during the 2022-2023 season, tipped off gamblers before a February 2023 matchup between the Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!” Jones allegedly texted one member of the betting ring, according to the indictment. The tip referred to a “lower body injury” that would keep James out of that night’s game. The Lakers went on to lose.
Federal prosecutors say Jones’s communication was part of a wider gambling network that mixed NBA insiders, crime-family associates, and high-stakes bettors. The same indictment includes references to other alleged betting tips involving Lakers players.
In one instance, Jones reportedly collected $2,500 after claiming he’d heard from a team trainer that “one of the Lakers’ best players” during the 2023-2024 season was hurt and would be limited in minutes for a January 15 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He passed the information to co-defendant Eric “Spook” Earnest, who then relayed it to sports bettor Marves Fairley, known online as “Vezino Locks.” Fairley placed a $100,000 wager against the Lakers based on the alleged injury tip. But the information turned out false — the star played, and Los Angeles won the game 112-105.
Court filings did not name the specific player, though Anthony Davis led the Lakers in scoring that night with 27 points.
Jones, 53, has not publicly commented on the charges. He and James were previously close, sharing time as teammates on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the mid-2000s.
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