LAKERS FINED $500,000

The NBA fined the Los Angeles Lakers $500,000 for violating its anti-tampering rules. The penalty came as a result of general manager Rob Pelinka making contact with Paul George’s agent “that constituted a prohibited expression of interest in the player while he was under contract.” The Lakers had been warned after Magic Johnson’s now infamous appearance on

Jimmy Kimmel Live! in which George’s eventual free agency was a topic of discussion. “The investigation did not reveal evidence of an agreement or un- derstanding that the Lakers would sign or acquire Mr. George,” the statement said. It’s the largest fine for tampering in NBA history. The Joe SmithMinnesota Timberwolves saga was considered salary cap circumvention and included direct evidence of an undisclosed written agreement between a team and a player. “We respect and accept the NBA’s decision regarding this matter,” Pelinka said. George, who will be a free agent after this season, made his intentions clear this summer after he informed the Indiana Pacers he wouldn’t be re-signing with them. They eventually dealt him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor

Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.