The Los Angeles Lakers have been fined $500,000 for tampering violations in the recruitment of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, the NBA announced Thursday via press release:
The NBA announced today that it has fined the Los Angeles Lakers $500,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule. This action followed an independent investigation by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
The conduct at issue involved communications by Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka with the agent representing Paul George that constituted a prohibited expression of interest in the player while he was under contract. The penalty reflected a previous warning issued by the NBA to the Lakers regarding tampering, following comments made by Lakers President of Basketball Operations Earvin Johnson about Paul George during an April 20 national television appearance.
The investigation did not reveal evidence of an agreement or understanding that the Lakers would sign or acquire Mr. George.
The NBA’s anti-tampering rule prohibits teams from interfering with other teams’ contractual relationships with NBA players, including by publicly expressing interest in a player who is currently under contract with another team or informing the agent of another team’s player of interest by one’s own team in that player.
Per USA Today’s Sam Amick, the violation was contact between Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and George’s agent, Aaron Mintz:
The Lakers' crime in this tampering case that costs them $500k, I'm told, is GM Rob Pelinka having communication with Paul George's agent.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) August 31, 2017
The investigation was asked for by the Indiana Pacers, who presumably felt that the Lakers’ tampering was a major reason why George was eager to leave Indy.
