(670 The Score) The launch of an NBA investigation into possible tampering violations by the Bulls didn’t detrail guard Lonzo Ball from landing in Chicago.
The Bulls have officially acquired Ball from the New Orleans Pelicans in a sign-and-trade deal, the team announced late Sunday night. In return, Chicago traded guard Tomas Satoransky, wing Garrett Temple, a second-round pick in 2024 and cash considerations back to New Orleans.
A wrinkle in the Bulls’ acquisition of Ball became public knowledge Saturday, when news broke that the league will examine the nature of possible early contact between Ball, the Bulls and the Pelicans and others, ESPN reported. That development came after news broke of Ball and the Bulls agreeing to a four-year, $85-million deal literally within the first minute of free agency opening at 5 p.m. CT last Monday. Not long after, details emerged on the specifics of the sign-and-trade framework, which also included Temple agreeing to a new contract with New Orleans.
Free agents and teams aren’t allowed to have discussions ahead of the start of free agency negotiations, though informal talks occurring through back channels and agents ahead of time is common practice. The belief from some across the NBA is that the league is probing the Bulls and Pelicans because sign-and-trades are complicated transactions, and with the news of the deal breaking so quickly after free agency started, it was perhaps a blatant violation that could be proved to be true. It's more difficult to prove tampering allegations through early contact when it only involves one free agent and one team.
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The maximum tampering fine for a team is $10 million, a figure that was elevated two years ago, ESPN reported. Executives are also subject to suspension, while teams are subject to forfeiting draft picks and having the agreed-to contracts voided. While the Ball transaction took some time to become official, most NBA observers didn't think there was any chance the deal would be voided, as that would put a player in a difficult situation with most teams having spent all of their money in free agency.
In 2020, the NBA stripped the Bucks of their 2022 second-round pick as punishment for violating tampering rules in a failed sign-and-trade in which they attempted to land guard Bogdan Bogdanovic from the Kings. The NBA found that the Bucks had contacted Bogdanovic and/or his agent before such discussions were allowed.
The NBA is likely to fine the Bulls and dock them a draft pick of some sort in a punishment that’s harsher than what the Bucks received, Bobby Marks of ESPN said in a video Sunday evening. The Bulls’ punishment is expected to be more punitive because they did acquire Ball, whereas the Bucks tampered with Bogdanovic but didn’t end up acquiring him as there was miscommunication between the sides.
What matters most for the Bulls in the short term is that the 23-year-old Ball has joined their team, which is looking to make a big jump next season. He’s set to slot into the Bulls’ starting lineup alongside All-Star guard Zach LaVine in the backcourt. A solid two-way player with sensational passing skills, Ball averaged 14.6 points and 5.7 assists while shooting 37.8% on 3-pointers last season.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.