If you moderately follow the NBA, then you know Anthony Davis told the Pelicans that he would not resign with them. In the same week, his agent, Rich Paul, publicly requested that AD be traded to a team that would help him win. According to ESPN, Davis was fined $50,000 for this due to violating the CBA. But this is not enough, and the NBA needs to go farther.
How Common is Tampering?
While the Lakers organization was not directly involved this time, they have been in the past. Last year, Laker’s GM Rob Pelinka was caught communicating with Paul George’s agent while George was under contract with the Pacers. The Lakers were subsequently fined $500,000, and George was traded to the Thunder. This is a fine first step, but for a team as storied as the Lakers, it’s a slap on the wrist. Going forward, the league should be more strict.
What the Punishment for a Team Should Be
Step one is make it illegal to trade for that player. When a contender says they want a player, then that is pretty enticing for the player. AD is nearing the end of his contract, and him saying he wants to go to the Lakers diminishes the number of potential trade partners. This is extreme, yes, but not without precedent. The NBA blocked the Chris Paul trade, and said they would block a Celtics-Clippers trade involving KG, DeAndre Jordan, and Doc Rivers. Saying you would block any trade in this circumstance is a little extreme, but there is another option.
The NBA could also block any effort to sign the player by the offending team. This is harder to enforce, as there is no precedent for it. With that being said, it is not out of the question. After Durant signed with the Warriors, Adam Silver said that the CBA needed reworking. However, just because Adam Silver said it doesn’t mean it will definitely happen. The commissioner does have one trick up his sleeve, a power that every commissioner has. Adam Silver has “best interest of the sport” authority. This means that it is up to him to protect the integrity of and confidence in the NBA. Silver could use this power to block any signing he deemed was bad for the NBA. With all of this being said, team’s tampering is not the biggest issue.
If a Player Does It
The man who kicked this all off: Lebron James. Earlier this season, Lebron said he would love to play with Anthony Davis. Davis then requested a trade, and made it clear he wants to play for the Lakers. There is talk Lebron could be fined for this, but again this is not enough. Now, the NBA knows it is bad if Lebron was suspended, but that is how to end this nonsense immediately. Suspend Lebron for a game. If he does it again, multiple games. This would show every other player the NBA is serious about this. If players decide to team up in free agency, that is one thing. Intentionally targeting players under contract (like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis) is bad for the league. If a superstar wants to collect star players like Infinity Stones, the NBA league offices need to stop him.
