The NBA’s wide-ranging probe into alleged illegal gambling activities has intensified, prompting investigators to request phones, documentation, and other materials from numerous organizations — including the Los Angeles Lakers. According to multiple reports, the league’s actions follow heightened scrutiny from federal prosecutors and Congress after criminal charges were issued last month against several figures tied to insider betting schemes.

League sources told The New York Times that the NBA initiated the latest round of requests after the Department of Justice announced charges involving Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former player and ex-Lakers shooting coach Damon Jones. These cases, which span both sports wagering and allegedly rigged poker games, have amplified concerns on Capitol Hill about how the league monitors potential gambling-related misconduct.

In response, the NBA retained the outside law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct a sweeping internal review. The firm has contacted teams across the league seeking access to cell phones, records, and other materials.

“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” a league spokesman said in a statement. “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.”

Lakers Staff Linked to Jones Asked for Device Access

The Athletic reported that investigators are expected to obtain records from at least 10 Lakers employees due to Jones’ longstanding relationship with LeBron James and his informal access to the team. Prosecutors allege Jones sold private injury information involving two Lakers players to bettors on more than one occasion.

The report notes that assistant trainer Mike Mancias and executive administrator Randy Mims — both longtime associates of James — have already handed over their phones voluntarily. Neither has been accused of wrongdoing, nor has James, who does not appear in any federal charging document.

Federal filings outline two instances in which Jones allegedly used non-public injury updates to guide bets. On Feb. 9, 2023, he purportedly learned that an unnamed Lakers star would miss a game against the Milwaukee Bucks before the team made the information public, then encouraged a co-conspirator to place a “big bet” on Milwaukee. A separate January 2024 incident involved Jones allegedly passing along information that another player was injured and expected to underperform.

Investigators are also notifying executives from other teams tied to details in the federal indictment in connection with Jones or Rozier.

Widening Reach Includes Trail Blazers, Magic, and Heat

The expanding investigation reaches far beyond Los Angeles. Federal documents reference betting activity involving the Orlando Magic, including an instance in which an unnamed “regularly starting player” allegedly provided a gambler with information that the team intended to “tank” an April 2023 game. The Magic noted that the player in question is no longer with the franchise and said the NBA cleared the team’s public statement when the charges surfaced in October.

The Trail Blazers were also referenced in filings claiming illegal bets were placed based on inside information delivered by a “coach” resembling Billups. While Billups has not been charged with sharing betting information, he faces unrelated charges alongside Jones alleging involvement in a scheme to defraud participants in illegal poker games.

Rozier, who was previously investigated by the NBA but not disciplined at the time, continued to play for more than a year before being indicted. He has since been placed on unpaid leave, and the NBPA has appealed the decision.

League Considers Tougher Injury Reporting Rules

As teams respond to record requests and investigators continue to gather materials, league insiders expect the NBA to implement stricter protocols governing how and when injury updates must be disclosed. Officials believe that more transparent and uniform reporting standards could have prevented several of the incidents now under investigation.

Jones’ unofficial role with the Lakers — allowed largely due to his relationship with James — ended after one season. His presence within the team, including regular involvement in card games, had once been influential enough to inspire the Lakers’ “freeze” 3-point celebration, mimicking a line Jones delivered during those sessions.

The broader probe follows a separate investigation involving Maverick Carter, James’ business manager, who was questioned during an earlier federal case related to an offshore betting ring. Carter was never charged.