Evelyn Lozada -- one of the stars of "Basketball Wives" who was once engaged to former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker -- is being sued for allegedly receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars illegally.
The story is shocking. Walker raked in a whopping $110 million during his NBA career, in addition to untold millions in endorsements and other deals ... and he blew ALL OF IT and a lot more.
Walker filed for bankruptcy last year, and now the bankruptcy trustee smells a rat. It seems Walker gave Lozada $560,000 when he already knew he was going belly up. The trustee has sued Lozada, claiming the transfer was fraudulent -- an attempt to hide money from legitimate creditors.
The trustee says Lozada used the money to start a Miami shoe store called Dulce, and now the trustee wants the $560k back.
We're told Lozada and Walker insist there was no funny business. He gave her the money to help pay her bills. Sources say Lozada funded Dulce NOT with the $560k, but by selling her engagement ring. And, our sources say, Lozada had no idea Walker was so deep in debt.
Khloe Kardashian is already preparing herself in case Lamar Odom gets traded out of Los Angeles ... and a source close to the family tells TMZ she's open to moving out of L.A. to be with her hubby.
Odom was supposed to be involved in a blockbuster trade for Chris Paul ... but the deal fell through late Thursday night. Still, there's still a chance L.O. could still be headed out of L.A. sometime soon.
We're told Khloe would follow Lamar anywhere ... but she would feel especially comfortable in New Orleans because the family spent TONS of time there when Kim was dating former Saints running back Reggie Bush ... and she already has a bunch of friends who live in town.
As for Khloe's reality TV career -- it seems she'd find a way to keep it going no matter where she and Lam Lam end up -- one source close to the family put it, "If only Reggie would have stayed in New Orleans ... it could have been Kim and Khloe take New Orleans."
Los Angeles Lakers forward Devin Ebanks -- a 2nd round draft pick in 2010 -- is off the hook in an LAPD rape investigation ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the alleged victim told police Ebanks took her home from a nightclub on September 13, 2011 ... but when she turned down his sexual advances, Ebanks "forcibly penetrated [her] vagina with his penis five to ten times."
Cops say the woman reported the alleged incident to police later that night.
But here's where it gets crazy -- cops say the woman wanted to get Ebanks to admit to the sex, so she sent him a text message FALSELY claiming he had given her a sexually transmitted disease.
But Ebanks didn't fall for the trap -- and replied that he couldn't have transmitted anything to her ... BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAD SEX!!!
We're told the woman also underwent a sexual assault examination, which revealed no foreign DNA anywhere on her body.
The L.A. County District Attorney eventually decided the woman had no credible evidence to back her story -- and rejected the case against Ebanks.
A rep for Ebanks had no comment -- but sources close to the Lakers tell TMZ, it's not the first time the alleged victim has made such accusations against pro ballers ... and law enforcement sources confirm that's the case.
Hanukkah came early for a bunch of Jews in Irvine, CA tonight -- when Kobe Bryant rolled up to the local Jewish Community Center and asked if he could borrow the basketball court for a hardcore private training session ... TMZ has learned.
Yentas at the JCC tell us ... the honchos at the center were more than happy to let Kobe use the facility -- and the Black Mamba couldn't have been nicer.
Kobe and a trainer proceeded to work on shooting drills and cardio training while a gang of the chosen people looked on in amazement.
We're told the training session went on for more than an hour -- and Kobe looked as sharp as ever.
Of course, the NBA lockout is just about over -- but players aren't expected to rejoin their teams for a few days ... so it seems Kobe is simply trying to get ahead of the game.
If you've dreamed of wearing an NBA championship ring but can't hit a 3, you're in luck ... because Julius "Dr. J" Erving is putting his on the auction block ... along with a TON of other stuff from his playing days.
The Philadelphia 76ers legend is parting with everything from his 1980-81 NBA MVP trophy ... to his high school class ring ... and even authentic game-used jerseys in an Internet auction that goes live on Friday.
Bidding on the doc's 1983 NBA Championship ring starts at $25k ... with portions of the proceeds benefiting the Salvation Army.
The timing of the auction is interesting ... because the NBA legend was sued by a Georgia bank earlier this month for not paying back a $200k loan.
The NBA offseason from hell just got worse for Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes ... who just announced that he's officially broken up with his "Basketball Wives" baby mama Gloria Govan.
Barnes -- who has 2 children with Govan -- just released a statement saying, "We have reached the difficult decision of ending our relationship and will be going our separate ways at this time."
He adds, "We will work together to raise our sons and wish each other only the best."
Barnes and Govan have had some issues in the past -- including the time Matt was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence back in 2010 ... but prosecutors didn't press charges due to a lack of evidence.
Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose strolled out of an LAPD station at 3:00 AM today ... after his BFF was arrested for DUI ... and Derrick was a passenger in the car.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ .... the 2011 NBA MVP was a passenger in a black BMW being driven by his close friend and personal assistant Randall Hampton ... when cops stopped the car on a routine traffic violation at around 2:00 AM Friday morning.
When cops spoke to Hampton -- who played high school basketball with Rose -- officers claim they detected the odor of alcohol.
Hampton was given a field sobriety test ... and was eventually arrested on suspicion of DUI. Rose was free to go.
Hampton was hauled to the Hollywood police station, where he was booked. Rose arrived to the station shortly after to check on his friend.
TMZ shot footage of Rose leaving the police station by himself at 3:00 AM ... but he clearly wasn't in the mood to talk.
Hampton has just been released on his own recognizance.
We called Rose's agent to ask why he would allow an allegedly drunk person to drive him around -- but so far no comment.
Former NBA Slam Dunk champion Isaiah "J.R." Rider claims he's been nothing less than a model parolee -- and last month, he proved it ... with his pee.
As we previously reported, Rider was arrested this week for a probation violation -- after allegedly failing to complete several probation requirements.
One of his probation officer's claims is Rider never took a required urinalysis -- a claim that has Rider p.o.'d at his P.O. ... because he actually has the receipt to prove he peed in a cup.
The document doesn't give any details about his results -- but it does show Rider completed the test on September 19th, 2011. It cost him $5.50.
Isaiah Rider's wife believes the former NBA star is the victim of a "she-devil, man-hating" probation officer ... who has been out to get her husband simply because he's famous.
TMZ spoke with Vanessa Rider, who tells us ... Isaiah's P.O. has been "abusing her power" -- and has been blocking his efforts to complete his probation, and that's why he was arrested this week.
Rider says Isaiah got permission from the court to apply to travel to L.A. to explore job opportunities as a basketball coach, but the P.O. has refused to sign off on it ... insisting he work at a local McDonald's, or a similar local establishment during his probation.
Vanessa says, "He's not going to work at McDonald's ... he's a retired athlete."
As for the 90 uncompleted hours of community service, Vanessa says Isaiah wanted to volunteer at his church, but the P.O. would only let him pick up trash on the side of the road.
Vanessa also says Rider still wishes to complete his domestic violence course ... but wants to do so in California, so he can work at the same time.
Isaiah is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 11 -- and Vanessa believes a judge will see things his way and let him out of jail. Calls to the Maricopa County Probation Department were not returned.
NBA superstar Blake Griffin officially has the most bizarre backup plan for the stupid lockout -- playing hoops in an LA rec league ... with a TMZ camera guy!
Our guy actually had the nerve to ask the Clippers star -- and Rookie of the Year -- to join his recreational league team.
Not sure what's more shocking: the fact our guy wants Blake to play Pau to his Kobe -- or the fact Blake told him, "Maybe."
Check out the intense negotiations in Beverly Hills ... and pray the lockout ends.
