The tampering accusations brought against the Los Angeles Lakers by Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon did not sit well with other executives.
In August, the Los Angeles Lakers were accused of tampering by the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers believed that the Lakers had impermissible contact with star Pacers forward, Paul George. As a result, the Pacers asked the NBA to investigate the Lakers.
The investigation didn’t last very long. The Lakers ended up being fined $500,000 as a result of the investigation. Per the investigation, the wrongdoing came from General Manager, Rob Pelinka.
Pelinka was found guilty for conversations that he had with George’s agent. It was determined that Pelinka exhibited prohibited interest in George while he was still under contract. The punishment was explained in a press release.
In that press released, it was revealed that Lakers President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson, was warned about tampering after an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Johnson jokingly discussed how a conversation would go with George should they run into each other while on vacation.
Johnson took full responsibility for the fine. He went as far as telling Jeanie Buss to take the fine out of his salary. With this now behind the Lakers, they can move on with their operations. The case coming to an end also allowed other executives to comment on the situation and they offered some sharp words for the Pacers.
Tampering is something rather prevalent in the NBA. If you are going by the rules, any time a player on one team discusses joining up with another player it is technically tampering. Teams discussing things with agents, by rule, is tampering.
It is something that executives said happens rather often when talking to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report.
"“If you’re not cheating by the letter of the law,” says one former GM, “you’re not trying.”Adds a current Eastern Conference GM: “You don’t get free agents without it. [Tampering] is what the whole league is built on. That’s the only way you can get anything done.”"
Los Angeles Lakers
Well then. As the old saying goes, if you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying. That would seem to be how NBA Front Offices carry themselves. It sounds as if it is something that is rather common in the NBA.
As a result, Pacers owner Herb Simon accusing the Lakers of tampering is something that rubbed other executives the wrong way. They were critical of the accusations brought forth by Simon.
"That’s why the executives contacted by B/R were surprised the Pacers demanded an investigation by the league at all. One called it “bush league.” Several others opined that the Pacers must’ve had some hard-proof evidence. Almost all presumed owner Herb Simon was simply too irate about George’s proclamation that he would leave in free agency to let him go quietly."
Simon was unhappy that George was going to leave the Pacers and named the Lakers as his preferred destination. Los Angeles, as a result, became the target for the Pacers frustrations.
It is something that Indiana will not let go. They are considering suing the Lakers as they do not believe the punishment was enough. Had the Lakers been found of any more wrongdoing, they could have been fined up to $5 million, lost draft picks, faced suspensions and been barred from acquiring George.
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None of that happened, so the Pacers feel the Lakers got away with a slap on the wrist and will drag this out. You can bet the longer the Pacers drag this out, the more other executives are going to be fed up with it.