NBA Investigating 4 Teams on Tampering Violations on Free Agent Sign-and-Trades

NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has just dropped the bomb that the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are being investigated on tampering charges over the Lonzo Ball and Kyle Lowry sign-and-trades this week.

Reporting with @RamonaShelburne on ESPN: The NBA has opened up investigations into possible tampering violations involving two sign-and-trade deals completed in free agency: New Orleans and Chicago centered on Lonzo Ball, and Toronto and Miami centered on Kyle Lowry. Story soon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 7, 2021

The Chicago Bulls announced a 4-year, $85 million deal for Ball in the first minute of the opening of free agency on Monday at 6:00pm ET. Maybe that was a bit of a tip-off, perhaps?

As for Lowry, his sign-and-trade deal with the Heat was reported by numerous sources a day before the official opening of free agency. A little too obvious, maybe? The Heat, Raptors, Bulls, and Pelicans have some explaining to do to Adam Silver.

The NBA can investigate early contact before the deadline by auditing phone, text and email records of the executives in question.

According to Woj, the penalties for tampering were stiffened significantly by the NBA in 2019, leading to possible suspensions, $10 million dollar fines, and even contract nullifications.

Two years ago, NBA elevated maximum tampering fine to $10M for teams and opened 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.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 7, 2021