Shocking: LeBron James in Shock as he was unaware his longtime manager Maverick Carter was an NBA game wagerer.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Washington Post, LeBron James said he was unaware that longtime manager and business associate Maverick Carter wagered on NBA games through an unauthorized bookmaker.

During an interview in November 2021 with federal officials looking into Wayne Nix—who has since pleaded guilty to charges linked to running an offshore sports-betting ring—Carter reportedly admitted to placing bets on NBA games, according to The Post. Carter admitted to agents that he “could not remember placing any bets on the Lakers,” the Post was able to check in an investigation report.

“Mr. Carter was not the target of the investigation, cooperated, was never charged, and was never contacted again on the matter,” Adam Mendelsohn, a spokesman for James and Carter, told The Post.

Following the Lakers’ Thursday night loss to the Thunder, James informed reporters that, in the previous 24 hours, he had only recently been aware of Carter’s wagering background and his 2021 interview with federal agents.

James remarked, “Maverick is his own man and gambling is legal in the end.” You can really do everything you want to do on your phone right now. Furthermore, he is unaffiliated with either the NBA or NFL, thus he is free to pursue his interests.

There are no regulations prohibiting business managers from gambling, even if the NBA forbids players, coaches, staff, and agents from placing bets on games. Nonetheless, the NBA maintains economic relationships with bookmakers, and casino owners are currently in the process of acquiring a majority share in the Dallas Mavericks.

During his career, James claimed to have observed that the topic of gambling has come up more often in NBA conversations.

“I mean, it’s weird that some of our regular fans that love the game kind of only care about a parlay now,” he said. “I guess that’s the word everybody is using. It’s kind of taken some of the integrity out of the game because people are kind of really only caring about the betting. I mean, it’s always [happened]. I mean, listen, people have been betting on games since Arnold Rothstein set the bet in the 1920s on the World Series. Come on, come on. So, it’s been going on for years. But it’s legalized now. Is it legalized in every state now? The majority, right? I think it’s in 38-plus states. So, I mean, to each his own.”

This season, James—who will be posting his NFL selections every week—said he frequently runs into supporters who are more concerned with individual accomplishments than team success.

“You detect it. Additionally, you constantly see it on social media,” he added. However, individuals often play fantasy basketball and football, and the goals are often set, such as “I need you to get six assists tonight. I need you to make four 3-pointers.” Whatever. Really, I don’t give a damn about those stuff.