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How will tampering charges against the Lakers proceed?

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LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers are under investigation by the NBA for possible tampering involving Paul George.

The Lakers are denying the allegations filed by the Indiana Pacers and maintain that they expect to be cleared in the matter, a team source told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne. George informed the Pacers in June that he planned to opt out of his contract next year and intends to sign a free-agent deal with his hometown Lakers.

If the NBA finds evidence of tampering and can prove the Lakers are guilty of impermissible contact with George while he was under contract with the Pacers, the league can punish the Lakers by taking away draft picks, fining the organization, setting future restrictions on acquiring George -- who will be a free agent next summer -- and/or possibly suspend offending team officials.