at 
A former NBA role player who once lived around title contenders now faces a very different spotlight, with prosecutors tying him to insider betting tips and crooked poker games.
Damon Jones Heads Back to Court
Former NBA guard Damon Jones is due back in federal court on April 28 in Brooklyn, where he is expected to change his plea in at least one of the gambling cases filed against him. Jones, 49, had previously pleaded not guilty, but the scheduled hearing points to a sharp turn in the case.
He is accused in two separate federal indictments tied to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games. More than 30 people have been charged across the wider investigation, and Jones is one of the few names that appears in both cases.
His lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, has said Jones is not cooperating with prosecutors. Even so, the move toward a plea suggests the legal fight may be entering a new phase.
Prosecutors Say He Passed Along Lakers Intel
According to court filings, prosecutors believe Jones used private basketball information to help bettors get wagers down before the rest of the market caught up.
One allegation centers on a February 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. Jones allegedly told associates that LeBron James would not play, even though James was not yet listed on the official injury report. Prosecutors say Jones pushed them to bet heavily on Milwaukee before the news became public.
James did sit out that game, and the Lakers lost 115-106. For sportsbooks and everyday bettors, that is the kind of edge that turns a fair market into a rigged one.
Federal prosecutors also point to a January 2024 incident involving Anthony Davis. In that case, a bettor allegedly paid Jones about $2,500 for information on Davis’ expected minutes, then used it to place a $100,000 wager. The plan fell apart when Davis played a full game and put up 27 points with 15 rebounds. The bettor later wanted his money back.
The Poker Case Adds Another Layer
The sports betting accusations are only part of the problem. Jones is also charged in a separate case tied to allegedly fixed poker games.
Prosecutors claim the games used altered shufflers, hidden cameras, and tech-equipped tables to tilt the action. Jones is described as a “face card,” basically a recognizable name brought in to help attract players to the table.
Investigators say the poker operation was linked to illegal gambling networks with organized crime ties. Court filings also describe players coordinating moves during games, including instructions on when to stay in or get out of a hand.
That matters beyond the courtroom. Most casino players already know the house has the edge, but they still expect the game itself to be real. Cases like this hit that basic trust from both sides, whether the action is in a sportsbook or around a poker table.
From NBA Journeyman to Federal Defendant
Jones played 11 NBA seasons from 1999 to 2009 and suited up for 10 teams during his career. He later worked in coaching and player development roles, including time around LeBron James in Cleveland and with the Lakers during the 2022-23 season.
He was also part of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ staff when the team won the 2016 NBA title. That résumé once made him a familiar basketball name. Now it is part of what makes the charges stand out.
Jones remains free on bail for now, but the April 28 hearing could bring the clearest signal yet about where this case is headed and how much of the government’s broader gambling probe may still spill out into public view.
