In a significant development in a high-profile NBA insider trading case, former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones is set to change his plea to guilty. Jones, a former NBA player, was indicted alongside Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and four others last November on federal charges related to conspiring to influence NBA outcomes and selling confidential information.

Originally pleading not guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, Jones has requested a hearing in the Eastern District of New York to alter his plea, with a court date scheduled for April 28 in Brooklyn. This move makes him the first defendant in the group to seek a plea change, though his attorney has stated Jones is not cooperating with prosecutors against his alleged co-conspirators.

The case centers on the illegal use of non-public information for sports gambling. Prosecutors allege Jones leveraged his league connections to provide gamblers with an unfair advantage, specifically citing a text about LeBron James's status ahead of a Cavaliers game against the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2023. While James is not named in the documents, he was the only rostered player who did not play in the Bucks' 115-106 victory that night.

This scandal underscores the growing intersection of professional sports and legalized gambling, highlighting the critical importance of game integrity. The news follows Rozier's recent waiver by the Miami Heat, though Rozier has pleaded not guilty and sought a dismissal of the charges against him. Federal prosecutors are expected to file updated documents detailing the plea change by next week.