Magic comments draw NBA investigation for tampering
One of the biggest NBA deals of the summer now may also be one of the most controversial.
The league released a statement Sunday afternoon saying it is investigating the Lakers for claims of tampering in the Pacers’ blockbuster trade of Paul George to the Thunder. The investigation is “at the request of the Indiana Pacers,” according to the statement.
After All-Star forward George made the “gut-punch” announcement he would not return to Indiana, the Pacers focused their energy on finding a suitable trade partner with many around the league believing he would be a oneyear rental before moving onto the Lakers in free agency following the season.
George, who is from Southern California, has made his love for the Lakers known and in the past has been open about his friendships with and admiration for Lakers president Magic Johnson and retired Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
In return, Johnson has made it clear he would love for George to be a Laker, stating as much in an interview on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and winking throughout to questions about George.
That interview took place in April and many casual observers brought up the issue of tampering at the time, but Sunday’s announcement was the first indication from the Pacers that George’s former team felt there was anything untoward about his offseason maneuvering.
“At the request of the Indiana Pacers, the NBA opened an investigation into alleged tampering by the Los Angeles Lakers,” the NBA’s statement read. “The Lakers have been cooperative, and at this point, no findings have been made. We have asked both teams to refrain from commenting while the investigation is ongoing.”
George’s agent contacted the Pacers on June 18 to say his client would not be returning to the team, and within an hour of that news breaking, Johnson posted cryptically on Twitter: “God is so good!” taken by some as a sign Johnson had some part, however minor, in the move.
Penalties for tampering include the potential loss of draft picks or eventually blocking George from signing with the Lakers. More likely, however, the person determined to be in violation of the rule would be suspended and the team would face a fine of up to $5 million.