Tampering in NBA free agency - details for rule that cost Magic Johnson $500k
Free agency begins on June 30, meaning that multiple NBA players will be able to agree to the terms of a new contract verbally.
Every season a whole host of NBA stars head for free agency, and interested teams fight for the chance to acquire their desired players to strengthen their roster ahead of the following campaign. Trades can be discussed during certain times of the year, and also throughout the offseason, but the NBA is strict when it comes to free agency.
The league issues heavy fines and punishments for 'tampering', which can be breached if any organisation member, coach, player, executive, or owner speaks to a player on rival teams to lure him to join their team. That doesn't mean that some organisations don't push the boundaries, as Magic Johnson found out back in 2017.
Organisation members cannot reach out to players, agents, or even show public interest in signing a player or teasing a potential trade until allowed to do so. Johnson's actions saw the Los Angeles Lakers fined $500,000 when contacting Paul George's agent despite already being warned.
Johnson's $500k fine
In 2017 the NBA issued a $500,000 fine to the Lakers for violating their anti-tampering rule, an extreme that the league doesn't go to unless absolutely necessary. General manager Rob Pelinka made contact with Paul George's agent after the team had been warned, but Johnson took full responsibility.
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The NBA said the contact between Pelinka and George's agent "constituted a prohibited expression of interest in the player while he was under contract" with the Indiana Pacers. Johnson took full responsibility, and told Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to take it out of his paycheck rather than the franchise take the hit.
"It's under my watch," Johnson told the Los Angeles Times "I apologise to Jeanie, and that was the main thing. I told her she could take it out of my salary because I don't want the Lakers to be paying that fine. ... I don't want her spending $500,000, because she didn't do anything. That's on me."
Johnson paid $500k of his own money after the Lakers were fined (Getty Images)Consequences of tampering
There can be multiple punishments for tampering, depending on the severity of the rule breach. If it's a team official that's found guilty, they can be fined anywhere up to $10 million (£7.87m), although such penalty is yet to occur.
If it's an active player that's caught, they can be suspended from games along with being fined. Teams can also lose their free agent signings and have them voided, or even have draft picks removed or trades reversed.
The league can launch an investigation at any time, claiming records of texts, emails or activity on social media. There doesn't need to be a tip either, the audit can be undertaken randomly.
Adam Silver and the NBA are strict with tampering rules (2022 Getty Images)
Steph Curry's Instagram post resulted in a later fine over at the Philadelphia 76ers (Harry How/Getty Images)Other franchises punished
One of the most famous instances other than when Johnson took the blame, is when Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey tweeted just two words to Stephen Curry. The Golden State Warriors forward posted a picture of brother Seth Curry, and praised him.
Seth used to play for the 76ers, and Morey screenshotted the post and put it up on Twitter. Morey added the words "Join 'em" in an attempt to lure Steph to the 76ers, even if it wasn't technically serious.
But the NBA still hit both Morey and the 76ers with a $75k fine, and not only did Steph never leave the Warriors, Seth ended up joining the Brooklyn Nets. The 76ers now have a free agency issue to deal with themselves, as James Harden looks to leave.
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