Former NBA forward and former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Damon Jones has asked the Brooklyn federal court for a change‑of‑plea hearing on accusations that he supplied inside information about NBA games to illegal sports‑betting syndicates. The hearing is set for April 28, and prosecutors must file a document by next week detailing the plea’s specific charge. Jones is the first defendant in the multi‑person case to indicate he will plead guilty, though his attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, says Jones is “not cooperating.” Federal prosecutors declined to comment.
The Brooklyn indictment alleges Jones used a casual link with the Los Angeles Lakers to obtain non‑public medical updates on players—most notably a text on Feb. 9, 2023, urging a co‑conspirator to bet heavily on the Milwaukee Bucks because “[Player 3] is out tonight,” a reference widely believed to be LeBron James. The tip allegedly helped a betting network profit, and the Lakers later lost the game.
Jones also faces a separate indictment alleging he helped attract high‑rollers to rigged poker games; he has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Co‑defendant Terry Rozier, also charged, has maintained his not‑guilty plea and is seeking dismissal of the case, with oral arguments slated for later this month.
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