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Los Angeles Lakers have tampering charges filed against them by Indiana Pacers

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have had tampering charges filed against them by the Indiana Pacers .

The Los Angeles Lakers have found themselves in some hot water. The interactions between teams is also a murky one to navigate. It is difficult to keep tabs on everyone from stretching the rules, but the NBA will now be looking into the Lakers.

The Indiana Pacers are filing tampering charges against the Lakers for their interactions with Paul George. The NBA will be looking into whether or not the Lakers had impermissible contact with George while he was under contract with the Pacers.

Peter Vecsey first reported the news from his Twitter account with an article on patreon.com.

President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson is in the middle of the investigation. General manager Rob Pelinka and Jeannie Buss will also be a part of the investigation. Any correspondence involving George will have to be turned over.

For now, the Lakers are denying any wrongdoing. There has been no evidence gathered saying otherwise, at least not yet. The Lakers are expecting to be cleared of the matter.

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However, if there is something found, the Lakers could face some stiff punishments. Los Angeles could be punished in the form of losing draft picks or fines up to $5 million. People involved could face suspensions, and restrictions could be put in place to make it difficult to add George to the roster.

If the Lakers are found of any wrongdoing, the NBA could block any acquisition of George by the Lakers. They could be prohibited from signing him as a free agent next offseason or from being a part of a trade involving the Lakers.

That is something the Lakers are certainly hoping to avoid. The first offseason under Johnson and Pelinka has been a good one, so having this happen near the end of it would be a big blow.

One of the things the NBA could be looking into is Johnson’s appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Johnson was having some fun with Jimmy Kimmel, but it is something that will be looked into during the investigation. Back in June, George let the Pacers know that he would not be returning to the team following this season and wanted to join the Lakers.

George ended up being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for an underwhelming package of shooting guard Victor Oladipo and power forward Domantas Sabonis.

Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History

The NBA will be using the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz for the probe. This will be something to watch in the coming weeks as the Lakers plans could drastically change if they are found of any wrongdoing.

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