NBA Swing: Teams Under Investigation, No LeBron/Cavs Reunion, & Warriors News

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We take a look at what is happening around the NBA. This week, we have a few topics of interest so take a read and enjoy.

New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers Under Investigation for Tampering

Several teams in the NBA are under investigation for actions taken prior to free agency once again. The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers are both currently under investigation for tampering, something the league has been cracking down on more in the last few seasons. The Knicks are accused of tampering, specifically with the signing of guard Jalen Brunson. Many outlets noted that Brunson was guaranteed to leave the Dallas Mavericks for the New York Knicks in free agency. As previously reported by several outlets, Brunson has many connections to the Knicks including his former agent and father. It was also reported that the Mavericks did not get a chance to talk to Brunson prior to free agency, as Brunson’s deal with the Knicks was done hours before free agency started.

The Philadelphia 76ers are also under investigation for tampering, with James Harden and PJ Tucker being the main reason for the investigation. Reports came out over a week prior to free agency saying that the team planned to offer Tucker a three-year, $30 million contract. The problem is that the team would not have been able to do that if James Harden decided to opt into his $47 million player option for the 2022-23 season. Members of the Sixers, including head coach Doc Rivers, have come out calling the investigation a joke. James Harden came out in July explaining that he took less money in a new deal in order to get more help around Joel Embiid and himself. With the history between James Harden, PJ Tucker, and Sixers President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey, the possibility of tampering could have weight to it.

History has shown that the penalties for tampering violations have varied by situation but are not that harsh when it’s all said and done. During 2021 NBA free agency, the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat were accused of tampering violations in the signings of Lonzo Ball and Kyle Lowry, respectively. Both teams ended up losing their second-round picks for the 2022 draft. In 2017, the Los Angeles Lakers were fined $500,000 for tamper violations when Lakers GM Rob Pelinka was in contact with the representatives of the Indiana Pacers star Paul George. In summer 2020, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green was fined for tampering violations after saying Devin Booker should leave the Phoenix Suns at the time. With the Knicks and Sixers investigations currently underway, it’ll only be a matter of time before the league releases its findings and announce potential punishments for the two teams.

Andre Iguodala’s Future and New Warriors Jersey

The Golden State Warriors have seen several players leave the team and several players join the team during the NBA offseason. One player’s future that currently remains unknown is Andre Iguodala. The 18-year veteran hit free agency after winning his fourth championship with the Golden State Warriors. Only playing 31 games in the 2021-22 season, the 38-year-old averaged 4.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG. The Warriors have saved their last roster spot for Iguodala, awaiting his decision. With Iguodala set to turn 39 towards the middle of the 2022-23 season, it would be understandable if Iguodala decided to retire. He could also return to the team as an assistant coach, something several players have done post-retirement. At the same time, the Warriors are in the middle of a championship window. Iguodala could still produce in short spurts if he decides to return. With training camp over a month away, there is still plenty of time for the Iguodala to decide his future.

In other Warriors news, the team released images of their ‘statement’ jerseys ahead of the 2022-23 season. A basic navy and gold jersey, the Warriors have faced a lot of criticism for their new jersey. Like several of the recently introduced jerseys from other teams, the Warriors’ statement jerseys have been called bland and basic by many. The jersey has also been criticized for looking like jerseys from other teams. Many have noted the jersey looking like the Michigan Wolverines basketball jerseys and looking almost identical to the California Men’s Basketball jersey, something the team’s Twitter account noted after seeing the jerseys. The Warriors’ jersey continues the trend of jerseys being questioned by fans and if the league is heading in the wrong direction in terms of jersey designs.

No Third Stint for LeBron in Cleveland

Seen as one of the best NBA players in history, Lebron James is still dominating on the court as he heads into his 20th season. Going into his fifth season with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. There is no telling what LeBron could do as an unrestricted free agent. LeBron has stated before that he would do anything to play with his son Bronny, who could be drafted in the next couple of years. One destination that most likely will be not in LeBron’s future is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Playing 11 seasons through two stints, LeBron is easily the best player in Cavaliers history, leading them to a championship in 2016. The Cleveland Cavaliers organization is quite different today compared to even a handful of years ago. The Cavs looked like a promising playoff team during most of last season but ended up losing to the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. With the Cavs making several improvements during the offseason, the team is looking to make a splash in the 2023 playoffs. While reports have noted a reunion between LeBron and the Cavaliers is not completely out of question, the team’s growing success and Bronny likely being drafted in the next couple of years make it unlikely that reunion will occur.