Kyrie Irving committed to join the Nets almost immediately after free agency officially openedNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA has "opened an investigation into how free agency operated this summer," according to sources cited by Lowe & Windhorst of ESPN.com. Sources said that the investigation likely will focus on "some of the earliest reported deals on June 30 -- the first day teams and representatives for free agents are technically allowed to speak." Sources added that NBA officials are "expected to being scheduling interviews in the coming days." There is "no timetable" for completion. Sources said that the urgency for an investigation grew out of the BOG meeting in Las Vegas earlier this month, as some owners "raised concerns about the flurry of deals that were completed within hours of the official start of free agency." Sources said that the owners believe that tampering rules "may have been violated." Lowe & Windhorst noted the investigation "may not lead to any formal punishments, but the information gathered could trigger rule changes to the free-agency system in the future" (ESPN.com, 7/23). In N.Y., Sopan Deb notes it is "unclear what the scope of the investigation is," or whether the league is "acting on information other than reports in the news media." A number of deals "seemed to be completed at breakneck speed." Kemba Walker committed to the Celtics and Kyrie Irving to the Nets "almost immediately when free agency began" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/24).
SPEAKING THEIR PEACE: Lowe & Windhorst cite sources as saying that the investigation comes on the heels of a "tense owners meeting." Hornets Owner Michael Jordan, also head of the labor committee, "discussed the possible need to revisit free-agency rules" in the next CBA. Bucks co-Owner Marc Lasry "spoke of his concern of the gray areas of tampering rules; it was lost on no one in the room that Milwaukee's franchise player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, could be the most sought-after star in free agency" in '21. Other owners "expressed frustration that some deals had apparently been agreed to well before the official start of free agency." NBA Commissioner Adam Silver "encouraged the open airing of grievances" when it "became clear ... that frustrations were simmering below the surface." NBA General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Rick Buchanan told the governors that as partners they were "entitled to expect all teams to abide by a common set of enforceable rules for free agency -- and that the league office would come back with a proposal for a revised set of rules that would then be strictly enforced." Sources said that he asked the group if they "were comfortable with the league 'seizing servers and cellphones,' a line that stuck with many in attendance." Sources added that Buchanan's tone was "not threatening, or aggressive." He "appeared to be offering guidance: This is what strict enforcement might look like" (ESPN.com, 7/23). ESPN’s Dan Le Batard said, "You would understand why the owners’ meetings would be tense because a lot of guys are getting embarrassed at the highest levels of wealth with players taking the power from them and they are powerless to stop it" (“Highly Questionable,” ESPN, 7/23).
MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS: ESPN’s Jalen Rose said the NBA should "protect the smaller markets in the league that have now lost out" on big-name players. Right now, tampering fines "are worth it" because of the "money that these owners and teams make." When dealing with "billion-dollar owners," the NBA can "legislate what they do with the salary cap, but what about their other businesses?" Owners have "so many other ways to impact the players." Rose: "You think a star player that works for one of these owners is going to his restaurant or going on one of their cruises and actually paying for it?" (“Get Up,” ESPN, 7/24). ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said the current free agency system is one that "everybody collectively decides to not abide by." It is a "competitive disadvantage" for teams to actually "abide by that system because everybody else is circumventing the rules" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 7/24).
POINT OF NO RETURN? ESPN’s Jorge Sedano said, "I don't know how they can enforce it. ... If you're going to stop tampering, you should stop it by including the players and involving them in discussions about tampering. Until you do that, the point is moot." Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw said teams have "lost control" because the league is at a point "where the money is so big that the players really don't care about the Bird Rights" (“Around the Horn,” ESPN, 7/23).
