NBA illegal betting probe reaches Lakers

The NBA’s investigation into illegal betting continues as an independent law firm hired by the league requests information and records from staff at multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. The review comes after federal charges led to the arrests of Damon Jones and Terry Rozier, among others.

“The NBA retained an independent law firm to investigate the allegations once they became public. As is standard in cases like this, various individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents. Everyone has fully cooperated,” a league spokesperson told ESPN and other outlets.

Lakers staff voluntarily provide phones

Among the dozen Lakers employees contacted are assistant coach Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims. Both voluntarily handed over their mobile phones, according to The Athletic. Like Jones, they have long-standing connections with LeBron James, who is not facing any charges.

Jones accused of selling injury information

Federal prosecutors allege that Damon Jones sold confidential information about Lakers injuries to bettors during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Authorities described the former player as “an unofficial assistant coach” during the first season in question. Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

Rozier allegedly sold inside info to friends

Miami Heat star Terry Rozier is also at the center of the investigation. Prosecutors say the guard sold information for $100,000, through his childhood friend Denir Laster, to two bettors. The tip involved Rozier’s plan to leave a March 23, 2023 game between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter. The bettors placed roughly $263,000 in wagers that Rozier would score fewer points than expected, which came true when he left the court, citing a foot injury.

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