Richard Jefferson sets the record straight with Damon Jones and LeBron James

Amid ongoing speculation about NBA Expands Gambling Investigationformer NBA forward and current broadcaster Richard Jefferson he addressed allegations linking Damon Jones to Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Jefferson clarified that while Jones and James share a history, portraying Jones only as “LeBron” misrepresents his broader NBA career.

On the latest episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, Jefferson dismissed the suggestion that Jones’ reported involvement in the betting scandal was rooted in his relationship with James.

“People have to understand, Damon Jones, as good friends as we all were, Damon Jones was an assistant coach on our Cavs team. He was a consultant with the Lakers. I played with him in Milwaukee. It’s like he’s an NBA guy,” Jefferson said.

“So he gave information on LeBron. He could have given more information than just Bron, but Bron’s name is what they want to use. Did he give information on other players? Did he (give) any other information about lineups? Did he do any of that? Again, when I say performatively, they’re going to give the biggest information, and they’re going to say he’s going to take the biggest information on it. Bron’s guy. And like no, this was an individual in the league with more teams on more coaching staffs. That’s him.”

Jones and James played together for three seasons in Cleveland and maintained a working relationship after their playing days. In 2014, Jones became James’ personal shooting coach and later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach during James’ second stint with the franchise. Jones has also been a consultant to the Lakers in recent years.

Richard Jefferson denies claims linking Damon Jones’ alleged gambling role directly to LeBron James

Reports suggesting that Jones may have sold inside information on James to bookies emerged as part of a larger investigation into illegal gambling activities in NBA circles. Federal authorities have not confirmed the specific nature of the information allegedly distributed, but the implications have fueled speculation given that Jones was close to James.

Jefferson, who played with both Jones and James throughout his career, dismissed the notion that the relationship is solely about James, noting Jones’ longstanding association with multiple organizations and players around the league.

As the NBA continues to address the integrity of its product amid growing gambling concerns, the spotlight has expanded beyond players to include coaches and staff with access to sensitive team information.

meanwhile, LeBron James remains sidelined with a sciatica injury causing him to miss the start of the season for the first time in his 23-year career. The Lakers lost Game 1 on Tuesday, 119–109, and are scheduled to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at 10:00 p.m. ET in a rematch of their first-round playoff series in 2024. James is expected to be re-evaluated sometime next week.

The league has not issued an official statement regarding Jones’ alleged involvement, and Jefferson’s remarks are one of the more direct defenses offered publicly in response to the stormy allegations.