The Lakers and team president Magic Johnson are under scrutiny as the league announced this weekend it was investigating potential tampering between the club and Paul George.
The Pacers, who dealt George to the Thunder this summer, filed the charges. The Lakers and Johnson now face a variety of potential punishments if the league finds evidence of impermissible contact and/or tampering.
George is a unique case in that he publicly stated his desire to sign with the Lakers when he becomes a free agent next summer. That prompted Indiana to shop the four-time All-Star, with the Thunder winning the sweepstakes by dealing away Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks points out, the Hawks and Kings were fined four years ago for outlining their plans to pursue free agents from other teams. But it’s been 17 years since the league cracked down hard on any team for tampering.
The Timberwolves were fined $3.5MM, lost five first-round picks (though two were later reinstated) and saw their owner and GM suspended. Those penalties were handed down when the league uncovered evidence that the club and forward Joe Smith had a side agreement for a future contract to circumvent the salary cap before Smith became a free agent. Smith wound up signing with the Pistons after Minnesota was prevented from securing his services.
A fine is the Lakers’ most likely penalty if some evidence of tampering is uncovered. However, if the league believes the Lakers and George already have a verbal agreement, they could face penalties similar to the ones doled out to the Timberwolves in 2000. It could also prevent George from joining the Lakers.
The Lakers have hired legal representation and seem confident they will be cleared of the charges.
That brings us to our question of the day: If the league’s tampering investigation involving the Lakers and Paul George uncovers evidence of a verbal agreement, should the Lakers be prohibited from signing George in free agency or acquiring him in a trade? If not, what would be an appropriate punishment?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this hot topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
The appropriate punishment would be a small fine since tampering happens all the time, especially since agents represent multiple players
It should depend on the situation. In this case Paul George was unhappy regardless and was gonna leave regardless, and he needed to be traded regardless.
Presumably the Pacers traded him to the team that made the best offer. That team happened to be the Lakers. Where’s the real damage here?
Regardless. Also your second paragraph reads like you think George was traded to the Lakers.
I don’t think penalties are necessary. This kind of thing likely happens ALL THE TIME.
It would be unjust of the league to dish out a penalty only because it regards a superstar while caring less about similar situations regarding other players.
I still don’t see why its against the rules anyway to talk business before free agency. It takes two to tango, so if the player is interested in talking to clubs about options that should be their prerogative as players.
I don’t think there is any doubt that the Lakers tampered with Paul George to some extent. To what extent that happened, I don’t know. I doubt the NBA does anything to harsh to the Lakers, even if it is proven that they are guilty of the most serious charges. The league wants the Lakers to get back to prominence. They aren’t going to do anything to hinder that
Whatever will be will be but all I see, so far, is a possible fine.
I don’t see how you can go too hard on a punishment. I mean it’s one thing in other sports where you can throw around dollar figures and stuff but there’s a max contract here, and every team in the entire league would be willing to offer him one if they could free up the space. What’s there to tamper with?
Should get the same penalty as the TWolves got. But should account for inflation. So maybe 35 million, no PG and lose he next 5 draft picks while getting back two.
LOL …. sure
No one mentions this ; but maybe Ballmer, as an owner, would like to see the Lakers lose something here.
In who’s best interest is the league office disciplining?
Nothing