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Los Angeles Lakers notify staff about league’s tampering rules

By James Francuz

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to Earvin Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Lakers before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 30, 2017 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. 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 Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to Earvin Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Lakers before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 30, 2017 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. 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 Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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Ahead of free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers’ brass reminded team employees to not meddle with the NBA’s tampering rules.

The moments that lie ahead for the Los Angeles Lakers have the potential to be something special. Taking that into account, the organization is being meticulous going into the warmest months of the calendar.

Based on what ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne revealed, the Lakers recently conducted a meeting to make sure staff members steer clear of tampering. This is especially critical given the fact that Los Angeles projects to be a high roller once free agency kicks off on July 1. This is when all 30 teams are granted the liberty to converse with free agents.

Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report elaborated on this in a piece he recently compiled on the subject matter. All-Stars LeBron James and Paul George continue to be rumored to be on the Lakers’ radar. Therefore, the careful approach the team is exercising is extremely sensible.

Per Shelburne, the meeting was originally called to order by co-owner Jeanie Buss. President of basketball operations Magic Johnson was the primary speaker during the gathering.

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Although the Lakers are one of the richest teams in the league, it makes sense that they would not want to be fined for the third time in less than a year.

The squad has a lot of cap space to make use of in the near future. Because of this, relinquishing any fragment of that luxury would not be ideal.

Matthew Moreno of Lakers Nation cited the two unfortunate cases in which the Lakers have been fined for tampering since Johnson came aboard.

The first case was the heftier fine out of the pair. In the later parts of summer last year, the NBA gave the Lakers a $500,000 fine. This one came due to “impermissible contact” between general manager Rob Pelinka and George’s agent.

The second out of the two was a bit stranger in nature. In February, the league gave the Lakers a $50,000 fine because a team representative talked about another team’s player. That very representative was Magic, who at the time commended the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo for his elite level of play.

There is no denying that the second case was quite petty. The sheer fact that Johnson merely complimented the Greek Freak does not even correspond with the definition of tampering all too well. Despite that truth, it is clear that the league was probably not going to be as kind to L.A. on account of their earlier mistake.

Therefore, the purple and gold certainly appear to be doing all they can to make their lives easier. The summer of 2018 is huge for them, and, undoubtedly, they do not want any distractions to get in the way.

While the Lakers’ meeting notified attendees about the NBA’s tampering guidelines, verbal communication was not the lone mechanism used.

According to Shelburne, other employees got written warnings regarding the whole spiel. These warnings stated that staff members would be subject to termination if tampering rules are not abided by.

As was said, it is not a stretch to say that one of the fines the Lakers received is unfair. However, the league (for whatever reason) has been watching L.A. like an eagle keeps track of its prey. It is probably not going to end anytime soon.

Consequently, what Los Angeles is doing right now is rather understandable. Things could change in a heartbeat for the Lakers once free agency commences. Ergo, it is completely practical that the Lakers’ brass is taking this summer as seriously as possible.

Next: Los Angeles Lakers Ultimate Guide to 2018 Offseason

The purple and gold simply have too much to consider. Some of the best in the league will hit the market in less than two weeks, hence the meeting.

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