The NBA could be launching an investigation of the sign-and-trade deals of Kyle Lowry and Lonzo Ball due to possible tampering.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news on Twitter, adding that the “NBA is expected to examine early contact on those deals ahead of the opening of free agency at 6 PM ET on Monday, sources tell ESPN.” Woj also shared that the league “elevated maximum tampering fine to $10M for teams” two years ago, as well as “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.”
Lowry left the Toronto Raptors and signed a three-year deal with the Miami Heat worth $90 million USD, getting traded for Precious Achiuwa and Goran Dragic. Meanwhile, Ball left the New Orleans Pelicans for the Chicago Bulls with a four-year deal worth $85 million USD, getting traded off for Tomas Satoransky, Garrett Temple and a second-round pick.
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
NBA is expected to examine early contact on those deals ahead of the opening of free agency at 6 PM ET on Monday, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Bl90sO2qj1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 7, 2021
In related news, the Toronto Raptors are officially retiring Lowry’s No. 7 jersey.
