According to the US media Front Office Sports' report on recent betting cases in the league, it was announced that Damon Jones leaked the content of text messages that James did not send to his betting partners on February 9, 2023. In that game, the Lakers eventually lost to the Bucks 106-115.

The indictment shows that on the morning of the game, Jones sent a text message to his co-conspirator: "Bet on the Bucks quickly before the news becomes public! James is absent tonight. Place enough bets so that Jones can make a profit!"

Jones worked with James for three seasons with the Cavaliers, served as the team's assistant coach when James returned to the Cavaliers, and served as the "informal assistant coach" of the Lakers in the 2021-22 season.

James did not play that night, and the indictment did not accuse him of participating in the conspiracy (James and Lakers representatives declined to comment). Apart from James, the only Lakers player absent that night was Pippen Jr.