NBA INVESTIGATING GEORGE TAMPERING ALLEGATIONS
The Indiana Pacers want revenge for the costly loss of Paul
George. Seven weeks after the former Pacers star was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for proverbial pennies on the dollar, the franchise is alleging that the Los Angeles Lakers are guilty of violating the league’s tampering rules in their pursuit of the fourtime All-Star. The NBA on Sunday confirmed the Pacers’ allegations and said in a statement that the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Ro- sen & Katz is conducting the investigation. “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,” the statement read from
Mike Bass, the NBA’s executive vice president of communications, confirming a report on Patreon.com. The Lakers released a statement that said in part, “We are cooperating fully with the NBA in the hope of clearing our name as soon as possible.” While no specifics of the accusations were included in the statement, the conduct of Lakers president of basketball operations Magic
Johnson is sure to be front and center. With George’s strong interest in signing with the Lakers as a free agent next summer widely known in league circles, Johnson, 58, has been open about his affinity for George ever since rejoining the organization’s front office in February. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February, the Lakers legend even joked about ways in which he could openly recruit George while avoiding the league’s tampering rules. — Sam Amick