The NBA betting scandal splashes the Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA is gearing up to face complex weeks as the investigation into a betting scandal progresses, already shaping up to be one of the most serious in its history. Among those indirectly affected is the Los Angeles Lakers organization, due to the close relationship of Damon Jones with the franchise and his role as the personal shooting coach of LeBron James.

According to a report by The Athletic, several team employees have been asked to turn over their cell phones and call records as part of the evidence collection process. This action follows accusations against Jones, a former player and former collaborator of James, for leaking insider information to bettors due to his special access within the Los Angeles environment.

As per league sources cited by the publication, investigators from Wachtell will request documentation from at least a dozen Lakers employees. Among those who have already cooperated are the training assistant Mike Mancias and the executive administrator Randy Mims, both professionally linked to the club through their long-standing relationship with LeBron.

The inquiry will now focus on examining their connection with Jones, although at this moment, there is no evidence that anyone within the Lakers organization was involved in the scandal. There are also no indications suggesting that LeBron was aware of Jones' activities, which currently places the spotlight solely on him as an individual responsible.

LeBron James Implicated

Jones's unofficial role within the team granted him access to locker rooms, trips, and internal routines, despite not holding an official position. He had become a familiar figure within the group, even participating in card games that led to the well-known triple celebration called the freeze, inspired by Jones mimicking an undercover agent upon winning a hand. His presence around the team lasted only one season, after which he ceased to fulfill that unofficial role.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El escándalo de las apuestas en la NBA salpica a Los Angeles Lakers