The NBA has finalized a penalty to the Philadelphia 76ers after a lengthy investigation into their past free agent signings of P.J Tucker and Danuel House Jr. The team will lose a second-round pick in the next two NBA drafts.
That leaves Philadelphia with 2 tradable 2nd round picks in the next 7 years:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 31, 2022
🏀2023: The more favorable of ATL, CHA and BKN
🏀2029: Own
The lone first they can trade is in 2029. https://t.co/fjBhB91dHc
The Sixers were found to be tampering, defined as engaging with a player before free agency begins that allows teams to negotiate deals. The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania reported that the $15 million pay cut that former MVP James Harden took this off-season was not part of the offense to League rules.
The team made a statement acknowledging the result of the investigation, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski states the League will look into tampering rules to avoid a conflict like this again.
In such a case, the NBA would have to investigate several teams, considering how quickly reports of signings are released. The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls were found to be tampering last season as well, and this could very much influence the League’s decision to make harsher punishments.
After concluding their investigation with the Sixers, the NBA focuses on the New York Knicks’ signing of Jalen Brunson.
