"He would say he's best friend's with LeBron James -- basically, he was using that as a business card for people to gain some trust in opening up some doors for him," professional bettor Michael Osborne said of ex-Cavaliers player Damon Jones.

"He’s a really funny dude. He’s a great storyteller. But he was never a part of the staff," a team source said of Jones.

Damon Jones and LeBron James have reportedly been friends since their time playing for the Cavaliers together in the mid-2000s.

Former Cavaliers player and assistant coach Damon Jones allegedly received $2,500 for insider information that backfired during a 2024 Lakers game involving close friend LeBron James.

Jones, an 11-year NBA veteran, played for 10 teams during his career. After retiring in 2012, Jones spent time as an assistant coach with the Cavaliers from 2016-2018.

Jones spent 11 years in the NBA, with his most memorable coming with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before arriving in Cleveland, Jones was the definition of a journeyman. He hadn’t played for more than a single season with a franchise. But the 6-foot-3 guard found a home in Cleveland.

Jones joined the Cavaliers as an informal shooting assistant in 2014 before taking on an assistant role with the team's G League affiliate, the Canton Charge, in 2015-16. Lue, who replaced David Blatt as head coach of the Cavaliers in January 2016, added Jones to his NBA staff ahead of the 2016 playoffs and kept him on through 2018.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers player Damon Jones were among at least 30 people arrested on Thursday, Oct. 23 for their involvement in a massive sports gambling operation with connections to the Mafia,