Lakers news: NBA rivals ‘chortling’ at notion Lakers are not tampering superstars
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS are facing one of the most important summers in recent franchise history with a host of superstars and marquee free agents reportedly available.
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The Western Conference giants are considered favourites to sign impending free agents LeBron James and Paul George – but have also been tipped to make a trade for San Antonio Spurs man Kawhi Leonard.
Signing all three during the offseason seems unlikely bordering on impossible – but the 16-time NBA champions have made their ambition to improve their young roster this summer well known around the league.
Last week, however, it was reported that the Lakers had called an internal meeting to implore all staff not to compromise their chances of acquiring any of the league’s big names by “tampering” ahead of the free agency deadline.
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Currently, NBA rules prohibit any “player, coach or management person” to “entice or induce a player under contract with another team to play for his team”.
Last year, the Lakers were investigated by the NBA over tampering claims involving Paul George and were ultimately fined $500,000 by the league.
Lakers executives are keen to avoid the same mistake this year - but speaking to the Lowe Post podcast this week, NBA insider Brian Windhorst revealed rival franchises are not buying the act.
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“Look, I don’t really know what is going on because I don’t have [Lakers GM] Rob Pelinka’s phone tapped but let’s just say nobody believes… I want to say five to seven different teams chortling,” Windhorst said.
“It could be just Laker jealousy – but they all thought that was laughable, the concept that the Lakers aren’t tampering.
“They’re not saying it Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson are tampering, they just say that they [Lakers] have 500 different ways to tamper.”