The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls have been sanctioned with the loss of their next second-round draft pick for violating internal NBA regulations that include contact and hiring deadlines for free agents, according to the organization itself.
The league’s investigation began in early August after both franchises sealed deals. sign-and-trade by Kyle Lowry and Lonzo Ball. These types of operations require the necessary time for negotiation and conversations that did not take place, as they were announced a few minutes after the official start of free agency.
The Miami Heat agreed to a three-year, $ 85 million contract with Lowry in exchange for Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa, who headed to Canadian soil. For their part, the New Orleans Pelicans sent Ball to the Chicago Bulls, with a four-year, $ 85 million deal, in exchange for Garrett Temple and Tomas Satoransky.
Those from Florida have already spoken about it through a brief message on social networks in which they show their disagreement with the decision, although they accept it.
On the other hand, neither the Raptors nor the Pelicans, the other teams involved in both operations, will face any kind of punishment from the NBA.
Already last season, the Milwaukee Bucks were sanctioned for illegally negotiating the arrival of Bogdan Bogdanovic, which ended up not taking place, which cost them a second round of the 2022 draft. The Heat have traded all their second-round selections until 2027, although the pick from 2024 is protected among the top 50 positions and could remain in the organization. Chicago has traded all of its second-round picks through 2025.
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