The NBA is facing a tumultuous betting scandal, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arresting 34 individuals across 11 states, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and former Lakers coach and LeBron James‘ friend Damon Jones. This sprawling probe, involving tens of millions of dollars and alleged Mafia-backed illegal sports betting and rigged poker games, has rocked the league.
The scandal’s tentacles stretch to at least seven manipulated games between March 2023 and March 2024, involving teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Toronto Raptors, with players reportedly removing themselves from games to favor gamblers. This crisis has reignited discussions about gambling’s dark history in the NBA, particularly Michael Jordan‘s past, and raised questions about indirect ties to current stars.
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The allegations include Damon Jones selling insider details about Lakers players-potentially including LeBron James and Anthony Davis-before games in 2023 and 2024, texting co-conspirators to bet against LA. While James isn’t directly implicated, the involvement of a trusted pal or agent in his circle sparks speculation about indirect awareness.
A similar shadow falls over the Charlotte Hornets, where the scandal’s early signs emerged during the 2023-2024 season, when Michael Jordan was the majority owner until selling his stake to Gabe Plotkin in 2023 amid financial scrutiny. The indictment suggests nonpublic information influenced Hornets games, prompting a key question: as owner, did Jordan have any inkling of the activities under his watch? His exit coincided with the scandal’s exposure, linked to Jontay Porter‘s 2024 ban.
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Jordan’s own history with gambling adds a layer of intrigue. During his playing career in the early 1990s, Jordan faced intense scrutiny for his betting habits, documented in high-stakes golf games and card games with teammates, per league reports at the time. In 1993, a story by the Orange County Register suggested his gambling debts might have connected to the murder of his father, James Jordan, killed that year in a carjacking many speculated was linked to underworld figures, though never proven.
This controversy, coupled with a reported NBA investigation, led many to believe it pressured Jordan into his first retirement in 1993, a narrative he countered by citing a need for a break. The Hornets scandal under his ownership reignites debate: could his past experience have heightened his awareness, yet failed to prevent issues? The scandal has led to Billups and Rozier being placed on leave, with a co-conspirator matching Billups’ description allegedly influencing a 2023 Trail Blazers game.
The Lakers case, tied to Jones’ actions, hints at vulnerabilities in player entourages, potentially casting an indirect shadow over LeBron’s legacy. The NBA has responded with fines, suspensions, and a transparency pledge, but these connections amplify the stakes. This crisis challenges the league’s governance. Jordan’s ownership tenure, marred by the Hornets’ struggles and his gambling past, raises questions about oversight.
The Lakers’ high profile suggests possible lapses in James’ circle. As investigations deepen, the NBA must address whether these indirect ties reflect systemic flaws or isolated incidents, with the league’s reputation hanging in the balance.
