“Not Reading That Declaration of Independence”: After Crackdown on James Harden’s 76ers, NBA World Goes Off Awaiting Big Decision
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The NBA and NBPA are reportedly planning to reconsider current tampering rules. After cracking down on James Harden’s Philadelphia 76ers, for trying to make free-agency signings through improper methods, the league is cracking down on offenders. But with the practice so rampant, the NBA world is awaiting a big decision.
The Sixers signed PJ Tucker and Daniel House during free agency. However, after further investigations, it was found that they have had discussions with them before the stipulated time period of the start of free agency. Teams were not allowed to do anything in free agency before 6. pm on June 30.
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Incidentally, James Harden had turned down his $47.4 million option, and he signed a contract that was $14.5 Million less. And this led to Tucker signing a three-year contract and House for a 2-year contract. As a result of this, the Sixers were allegedly found guilty of tampering. And the NBA is cracking down on the Sixers. They are stripping them of their second-round picks in 2023 and 2024.
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However, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the league is gonna revisit the rules. Because it is very difficult to trace such illegal conversations and discussions in an efficient way. And it has become a common practice in the league.
The NBA and NBPA are expected to revisit the rules that punish teams discovered to have had discussions with player agents on pending free agents ahead of free agency's official start, sources said. The practice is rampant, but hard to police and largely impossible to eliminate.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2022
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He tweeted, ” The NBA and NBPA are expected to revisit the rules that punish teams discovered to have had discussions with player agents on pending free agents ahead of free agency’s official start, sources said. The practice is rampant, but hard to police and largely impossible to eliminate.”
NBA Fans are not happy with the league still waiting for a big decision
The NBA fans are not happy with the league still waiting instead of acting. The fans know that tampering is rampant in the league and this isn’t the first instance of something like this happening. Meanwhile, they have also expressed their disappointment with the vague nature of the rules and the disparity in treatment towards different teams. Here are some of the reactions of fans on social media.
Not reading that declaration of independance
— West (@RatioedByWest) October 31, 2022
Sources: Lakers and Metta World Peace have agreed to part ways, clearing the way for the start of free agency on July 1. World Peace has a $34M expiring contract that'll stay in LA cap for next season. Peace needs to waive his player option to return to Lakers.
— The Woj Bot (@TheWojBot) October 31, 2022
Lol they know those rules do nothing ☠️
— ً (@Steevn_x) October 31, 2022
If I’m being honest, I don’t see why free agency is tampering. Shouldn’t that only be for trades? Why shouldn’t PJ tucker be able to look for employment before the end of his deal?
— plasticono (@plasticono215) October 31, 2022
Good, they need to increase the penalty
— 𝑺𝒐𝒂𝒑 (@NBASoap) October 31, 2022
punishing a team for getting house and PJ by losing 2 second round picks isn't a great start lmao
that cost is far too small to discourage any teams for trying to compete
— hill bader (@hillcommabader) October 31, 2022
the nba should give those picks to the team the player they tampered with was on
— Cody Pop😎 (@Cody_Popolillo1) October 31, 2022
All it takes is a twitter account lmao. Every team that signed a player at 12:01 tampered
— Matt (@MattWheel00) October 31, 2022
If I’m being honest, I don’t see why free agency is tampering. Shouldn’t that only be for trades? Why shouldn’t PJ tucker be able to look for employment before the end of his deal?
— plasticono (@plasticono215) October 31, 2022
This isn’t the first time the league has interfered
The league has been cracking down on tampering for some time now. In 2019, they found the Chicago Bulls guilty of trying to contact Lonzo Ball early. And in 2021, they found the Miami Heat guilty when they did the same with Kyle Lowry. The league stripped a draft pick from both of these teams.
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The league has been trying to make it tough for years now. But the practice is very rampant and it is very hard to track. Hopefully, the league and player association can come up with a solution to this. Otherwise teams and players are gonna continue to do this, paying little to no cost for their actions.
Written by:
Edited by:
Satagni Sikder