This penalty stems from an investigation into communications between Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka and the agent representing Paul George, which constituted a prohibited expression of interest in the player while he was under contract with another team.
The fine amount is $500,000, and the reason is violating the NBA’s anti-tampering rule. The incident involved Rob Pelinka’s communication with Paul George’s agent. The Lakers had been warned about tampering after Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s comments on national television about Paul George.
The NBA’s anti-tampering rule prohibits teams from interfering with other teams’ contractual relationships with players. This includes publicly expressing interest in a player under contract with another team or informing the agent of another team’s player of interest.
The Lakers have been fined for tampering before: they were fined $500,000 in 2017 for violating the anti-tampering rule related to Paul George, and $50,000 in 2018 for Magic Johnson’s comments about Giannis Antetokounmpo, deemed a tampering violation.
