The NBA has opened up investigations into possible tampering violations involving two sign-and-trade deals completed in free agency, Chicago's acquisition of New Orleans's Lonzo Ball & Miami's acquisition of Toronto's Kyle Lowry.
The NBA's probe will examine illegal contact among teams and players ahead of the opening of free agency on Monday at 6 p.m. ET. Team executives, players agents & players have been notified of the opening of the league office's investigations.
The NBA instituted more stringent penalties in these cases in 2019, including raising the maximum fine for teams to $10 million & the possibility of suspending team executives, forfeiting draft picks & even the voiding of contracts. Team executives can also have their communications -- such as telephone records, texts & emails randomly audited.
Sign-and-trade arrangements are more complicated & time-consuming than typical free-agent player signings, often needing a greater level of discussion & negotiation to complete.
New Orleans agreed to trade Ball, a restricted free agent, to Chicago on a four-year, $85 million contract for Garrett Temple on a new three-year, $15.5 million contract & guard Tomas Satoransky. That deal has yet to be finalized with the league office & could look different in its final form.
Miami negotiated a three-year, $85 million deal with Lowry in the sign-and-trade that sent guard Goran Dragic & forward Precious Achiuwa to the Raptors. The Heat guaranteed Dragic's $19.4 million team option on Sunday, which allowed them to use him in the sign-and-trade deal.
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Source: ESPN
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