Another day. Another tampering controversy involving the Los Angeles Lakers.
On Monday, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass informed media that the league is investigating possible communications between Philadelphia Sixers guard Ben Simmons and Lakers employees. Such conversations, Bass notes, might have run afoul of league rules.
Those “rules” refer to anti-tampering provisions found in Articles 35 and 35A of the league’s constitution. Owners, general managers, coaches, scouts, referees and—yes—players are forbidden from using enticement, inducement or encouragement to persuade any person who is under contract with another team to join the tampering team.
Potential punishments for tampering range from the symbolic, to the modest, to the franchise-altering.