The NBA has broadened its investigation into illegal sports betting, requesting cell phones and records from multiple teams including the Los Angeles Lakers. Arrests of Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Lakers assistant Damon Jones have prompted the league's actions amid congressional scrutiny. No charges have been filed against Lakers stars or staff involved in cooperating.
The NBA's investigation into illegal gambling intensified following federal indictments and arrests last month. Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former player and coach Damon Jones were arrested by the FBI in connection with rigged poker games and illegal sports betting. The league hired the independent law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to probe the allegations.
An NBA spokesman stated, "The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public. As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative."
Congress has questioned the league's handling of suspicious betting patterns around a March 2023 game involving Rozier, who continued playing in over 100 games until his October arrest. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained, "Terry, at the time, cooperated and gave the league office his phone. He sat down for an interview. We ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence -- despite that abberational behavior -- to move forward."
Through the law firm, the NBA has contacted teams for phones, records, and documents. At least 10 Los Angeles Lakers employees are expected to provide information. Assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims have already surrendered their phones and are cooperating, though neither has been charged or named in indictments.
Prosecutors allege Jones sold injury status information on Lakers players, with context pointing to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James reportedly had no knowledge of this. On November 6, Jones pleaded not guilty to two charges and was released on a $200,000 bond, barred from gambling or contacting organized crime.
The Orlando Magic were mentioned in related federal probes over a former player's alleged sale of rest information for an April 2023 game, but that player is no longer with the team.
In response, the NBA is reviewing its gambling policies and plans substantial changes to injury reporting rules to prevent insider information leaks. A league memo noted, "Given the spread of legal betting to the majority of U.S. states, the recurrence of integrity issues across sports, and the emergence of novel betting formats and markets, this is an opportune time to carefully reassess how sports betting should be regulated and how sports leagues can best protect themselves, their players, and their fans."