LOS ANGELES - In a recent development, it has been reported that Maverick Carter, the manager of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, admitted to federal agents in 2021 that he had placed bets on NBA games through an illegal bookmaker. The revelation came to light in a report reviewed by The Washington Post.

According to the summary of Carter's interview, he claimed to have no recollection of placing any bets on Lakers games and denied placing wagers on behalf of others. A spokesperson for Carter and James, Adam Mendelsohn, asserted that Carter was not the focus of the investigation, cooperated fully with law enforcement, was never charged, and has not been contacted about the matter since.

The report further states that Carter acknowledged placing around 20 bets on football and basketball games over the course of a year. The amounts wagered ranged from $5,000 to $10,000 per bet.

NBA rules strictly prohibit players, team officials, and league officials from engaging in any form of betting on league games. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) extends this prohibition to agents as well. However, business managers, like Carter, are not included in either group's rules.

The investigation into Carter's involvement in illegal gambling was part of a broader probe into Wayne Nix, a former minor league baseball player. Nix pleaded guilty in April 2022 to charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return. Prosecutors revealed that Nix's operation had been active for two decades, with current and former professional athletes, including Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen and former MLB outfielder Yasiel Puig, listed as clients or employees.

Puig, who initially pleaded not guilty to a federal charge of lying to law enforcement officials about his involvement with an illegal gambling operator, recently changed his plea to not guilty.

The revelation of Carter's admission has sparked discussions regarding the need for stricter regulations and guidelines within the sports industry to prevent such incidents. The NBA and the NBPA may consider reassessing their policies to encompass business managers like Carter in the future.

As of now, Carter continues to serve as LeBron James' trusted manager, overseeing the basketball icon's business ventures and partnerships. The impact of this revelation on Carter's professional relationship with James remains to be seen.

It is a reminder that even prominent figures in sports management are not immune to the temptations and legal consequences of illegal gambling. The investigation into Carter's involvement serves as a warning to others within the industry and highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of professional sports.

The NBA and authorities are expected to closely monitor future developments related to the illegal gambling operation led by Wayne Nix and the implications it may have for those connected to it.