If the NBA didn’t slap the Lakers on the wrist, it slapped them on the wallet.
The league fined Los Angeles $500,000 for violating the anti-tampering rule with Paul George, the NBA said in a statement. According to a source, it’s the largest fine in NBA history for tampering.
The NBA had launched an investigation, conducted by an independent law firm, after the Pacers filed tampering charges, questioning whether the Lakers had tried to lure George when he was still under contract with Indiana.
According to the release, the fine resulted from communications by new Lakers GM Rob Pelinka with George’s agent. George cannot be a free agent until next summer and informed Indiana he would not be returning. They pivoted to send him to Oklahoma City in a trade.
The most public potential evidence of tampering came from Lakers executive Magic Johnson, who wink-winked, nudge-nudged his way through a Jimmy Kimmel interview in April, making it clear he would love for George to be a Laker. The NBA said it had given the Lakers a warning following the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” taping.
The investigation, the league said, found no evidence that the Lakers and George have an understanding they will unite next season. There was wonder if the tampering could hinder their expected link-up, but that does not appear the case.