Lakers fined $500K for tampering with Paul George

The Los Angeles Lakers have been fined $500,000 after the NBA concluded the team had violated the league's anti-tampering rule.

According to a statement released by the NBA, the penalty stems from GM Rob Pelinka's contact with Paul George's agent this summer. This transgression followed a previous warning from the league after President of Basketball Ops Magic Johnson joked about tampering with George during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.

Below is the full statement released by the NBA on Thursday:

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.

Regardless of the penalty, the Lakers remain eligible to pursue George as a free agent next offseason.

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