The NBA has requested documents, phones, and other electronic records from multiple franchises, including the Los Angeles Lakers, as part of its expanding investigation into illegal sports betting, according to The Athletic. This move comes amid growing scrutiny from Congress following federal charges filed last month against several individuals connected to NBA teams.
The investigation gained momentum after former NBA player and longtime LeBron James associate Damon Jones was arrested and accused of selling private injury information to gamblers involving two unnamed Lakers stars. Prosecutors allege that Jones used inside access—earned through his close relationship with James—to tip bettors on at least two occasions. Jones has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
As part of the ongoing probe, investigators from the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which was hired by the NBA, have contacted multiple teams requesting access to devices and records. At least 10 Lakers employees are expected to be approached. Assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims, both longtime members of James’ inner circle, have already cooperated by voluntarily turning over their phones.
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass emphasized the league’s commitment to uncovering the full scope of the alleged scheme. “The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” the league stated. “Everyone has been fully cooperative.”
It is important to note that LeBron James, Mike Mancias, and Randy Mims have not been accused of any wrongdoing nor have they been named in any federal filings. However, their close proximity to Damon Jones has placed the Lakers at the center of the inquiry.
This scandal follows several recent gambling-related cases involving NBA personnel. Miami’s Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested last month on federal charges linked to illegal betting activities. Rozier was accused of planning to manipulate his performance to influence betting outcomes in a 2023 game, while Billups was charged with defrauding players through illegal poker games—not for leaking injury information.
Additionally, the government has cited illegal bets connected to the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers. Among these allegations, a Magic player allegedly informed a gambler that the team planned to “tank” an April 2023 matchup. That unnamed player is no longer with the franchise.
The NBA has already banned former Toronto Raptors two-way player Jontay Porter for betting violations. In response to the widening scandal, the league is expected to implement stricter rules surrounding injury reporting to help prevent future misconduct.
https://www.complex.com/sports/a/markelibert/nba-requests-cell-phones-teams-amid-expanding-gambling-investigation