Lakers fined for tampering with Paul George

The NBA fined the Los Angeles Lakers $500,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rules with regard to communication between Paul George’s agent and the Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.

The league’s release on the matter seemed to minimize the gravity of the tampering since there was no evidence of a future agreement and certainly a $500,000 fine appears to be a slap on the wrist in the grand scheme of things, although I’m not writing the check.

Oh, and nothing will stated here will prevent the Lakers from signing PG after his year in OKC. So, LeBron’s master plan remains in play.

Regardless, proving any level of tampering, especially between an agent and former agent, is a bit of a surprise. But more importantly, it brings the Paul George era with the Pacers to a close in a messy fashion which befits the situation over the past year.