One of LeBron James’ former teammates is the first defendant in the NBA gambling scandal to plead guilty.
Former player and assistant coach Damon Jones plans to plead guilty to sports gambling charges, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. Jones had initially pleaded not guilty to selling insider information to sports gamblers.
Jones has also been accused of participating in a rigged poker game. He has pleaded not guilty in that case, and apparently does not intend to change that plea.
Jones was accused of passing along insider information about James’ injury status while working as an unpaid assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. The scheme involved Jones passing along information about James’ injury status before it went public, allowing his co-conspirators to bet against the Lakers with more favorable odds.
Former Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is facing charges as part of the same indictment. Rozier has pleaded not guilty. Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups has also been accused of taking part in rigged poker games, and he has also pleaded not guilty.
