The NBA has opened up investigations into possible tampering violations involving two major sign-and-trade deals completed in free agency: New Orleans and Chicago centered on Lonzo Ball, and Toronto and Miami centered on Kyle Lowry.
Chicago is reportedly adding Lonzo Ball via sign-and-trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. Miami has already announced the acquisition of Kyle Lowry via sign-and-trade with the Toronto Raptors. The Heat sent Goran Dragic and Precious Achuiwa to the Raptors in that deal.
Wojnarowski explained further: “Two years ago, NBA elevated [the] maximum tampering fine to $10M for teams and opened [the] door for suspension of executives, forfeiture of draft picks and voiding of contracts. Team execs can also have their communications – such as phone records, texts and emails – randomly audited.”
Under the NBA’s bylaws, the league can impose of a fine of up to $10 million for tampering. They can also void contracts that are deemed to have been agreed to too early.
