The NBA’s investigation into the handling of Kyle Lowry’s sign-and-trade deals with the Miami Heat and Lonzo Ball with the Chicago Bulls has been completed. As the league announced on Wednesday, both teams lose their next second round pick as a penalty.
In its investigation, the NBA concluded that both teams had entered into illicit negotiations with representatives from Lowry and Ball prior to the Free Agency’s official negotiation window on August 2nd. Both Miami and Chicago have cooperated in the investigation.
Since both teams have given many of their own future second round picks in trades, it may take some time for the penalties to take effect. However, Miami could get the worse second-round pick from the Sixers or Nuggets in 2022 if they reach the playoffs. They would then have to hand them over. Chicago could get the Nuggets’ top 46 protected pick in 2023, which they in turn would lose.
The Heat already responded to the punishment in a statement: “Although we do not agree with the decision, we accept it.” Meanwhile, the Bulls were more cautious: “We are happy that this process has come to an end and we look forward to the rest of our season.”
During the investigation, the NBA conducted numerous interviews with team executives and player agents, as well as investigated electronic messages from four front offices – Chicago, New Orleans, Miami and Toronto.
Usually sign-and-trades are considered quite complicated as these deals require the approval of two teams and the player. Nevertheless, a few minutes after the official start of the Free Agency, the corresponding deals with Lowry and Ball became known, which caused astonishment.
Lowry signed a three-year $ 85 million deal in Toronto and was immediately traded for Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa on South Beach. The Pelicans sent Ball, who had signed a four-year $ 80 million deal with Chicago, in exchange for Garrett Temple, Tomas Satoransky, and a second-round pick to the Bulls.
After the 2020 offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks received a similar penalty for tampering a failed deal with restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic. That ended up with the Atlanta Hawks.
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