LAKERS LINKED TO GAMBLING PROBE

No wrongdoing implied as they are among many NBA teams cooperating with investigation

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Houston star Kevin Durant being marked by Orlando's Jett Howard (left) and Tristan da Silva during the Rockets' 117-113 overtime home victory over the Magic on Nov 16.

(PHOTO: AFP)

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of multiple National Basketball Association (NBA) teams that have been asked to surrender “documents and records” to the league as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal gambling operations, The Athletic and ESPN reported on Nov 16.

ESPN reported that Mike Mancias, an assistant trainer, and Randy Mims, an executive administrator, are among roughly a dozen Lakers employees who are cooperating with the investigation.

However, being contacted as part of the investigation does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,’ a league spokesperson told multiple outlets in a statement.

“As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organisations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.”