The NBA‘s ongoing investigation into illegal gambling allegations is apparently widening. Significantly. The league is now requesting cell phones and documents from personnel across multiple teams.

The probe stems from federal arrests on October 23 involving Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and others, including former player and ex-coach Damon Jones.

The sprawling allegations include game-fixing, stat-fixing, and rigged poker games.

The league has now enlisted the prestigious law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct an independent inquiry. This is likely because they want to create the impression that the integrity of the game is of utmost importance, especially in a league that has been accused of rigging games for decades.

The Athletic is reporting that the NBA is requesting cell phones and documents from multiple teams as part of its expanding inquiry. And the probe is roping in some individuals linked to some major stars.

NBA Gambling probe expanding

The independent inquiry’s request for cell phones and associated records, according to several sources who spoke to The Athletic, involves individuals associated with more than one team. One such team is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Why are the Lakers highlighted in that report?

Lakers staffers Mike Mancias (LeBron James’s longtime assistant trainer) and Randy Mims (executive administrator and another James associate) have voluntarily surrendered their phones and records. They are being scrutinized over their connections to the scandal.

It’s important to note that James is not considered involved in any way. Mancias and Mims are reportedly being scrutinized due to their relationship with Jones.

An NBA spokesman emphasized that such preservation requests are standard and that all parties involved have been fully cooperative.

The widening scope signals the investigation is poised to intensify further, as predicted by Bounding Into Sports, with potential congressional interest adding pressure.

BREAKING: The NBA has asked the Lakers and several other teams to turn in cell phones as part of its investigation into illegal sports gambling 😳 pic.twitter.com/AunEABoRqP

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) November 15, 2025

READ MORE: Barkley and Smith Debate NBA Gambling Scandal: Addiction or Stupidity?

It’s a genuine scandal

The NBA is being proactive, at least now, in investigating the gambling issues that have seemingly infiltrated its league. It’s a smart move.

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

The reality is that this scandal will likely deviate from the standard. To paraphrase former President Joe Biden, it’s a big effing deal. It’s about to draw in some huge names, whether directly involved or just tangentially. Not to say Billups and Rozier aren’t already pretty big names.

Billups, a Hall of Famer and 2004 NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons, has been tied to poker-related gambling involving the mob, while Rozier’s arrest stems from broader point or stat-shaving schemes. The FBI initially handed down 31 indictments.

Will more be forthcoming? We’ll keep readers up to date as events warrant.