Being In an N.B.A. Player’s Entourage Is Fun. Now, It Can Be a Gambling Edge, Too. NYT | Top Stories By: Tania Ganguli 25 October 2025 at 17:02 The federal indictments against N.B.A. players and others for illegal betting exposed a new wrinkle in the way old friends can benefit from their access to an athlete. © Mark Duncan/Associated PressDamon Jones, left, became a close friend with LeBron James after they played together for three years with the Cleveland Cavaliers.