The writing was on the wall, and now it’s in the fine print.
After an offseason where some of the game’s biggest players packed their bags for new cities, the league was forced to re-address its tampering policies. Now, thanks to an NBA Board of Governors meeting, there is a new set of guidelines, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The NBA Board of Governors passed a stricter package of measures to enforce compliance with tampering and salary cap circumvention, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 20, 2019
The new policy, which was agreed upon unanimously, will offer a new level of severity in punishment to teams found guilty of tampering. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke after the meeting about how the “ultimate goal” is to enforce “compliance” on the part of league executive.
Adam Silver on tampering punishments: "Suspending executives…taking away draft picks….voiding contracts…All those provisions are on the table. The ultimate goal is compliance." Silver says fining teams can often be the least effective avenue to rules compliance.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 20, 2019
Over recent years, tampering has become more of a “look the other way” topic on behalf of the league, who has done nothing more than wave a finger when discussing it.
Although, we did see an historic shift in player movement, as well as some remarkably quick free agent signings, this offseason. Even with the league moving the free agency start time up several hours into the evening of June 30th, many teams still had their new players under contract unusually fast (i.e. the Nets with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving). And the Bulls were no exception to this with the sudden signing of Thaddeus Young.
Zach Lowe’s recent report about the NBA Board of Governors meeting explains why the league is instituting such a policy. But simply put, teams who tamper have an advantage they shouldn’t have. Heading into bigger offseason benchmarks like the NBA Draft and the rest of free agency with this knowledge can greatly impact a team’s operations.
Lowe’s report also shares the multiple changes that were discussed and now appear to be set in stone. They include:
And, yes, Adam Silver is now allowed to take your cell phone.
Adam Silver confirms that he does now have the ability to take people's communication devices if he chooses to do so. Has said multiple times he "does not want to take people's devices." That, however, is different than saying he won't.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 20, 2019
Adam Silver says "there needs to be consequences" when rules are violated. Says the league is willing to suspend executives, take away draft picks and void contracts for teams that don't comply to anti-tampering rules.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) September 20, 2019
If Silver wanted compliance, this sure does sound like the way to do it. Although, agreeing upon new rules and instituting them are two entirely different things.
The rule changes certainly feel like enough to give NBA teams a nice scare, but I think this quote from an anonymous GM says it all:
GM's and agents do believe free agency will be impacted. How much? We'll see. But both sides more apprehensive on negotiating/agreeing to deals ahead of June 30 start. One GM said, "I'll follow the rules — until I find out others aren't and I'm at a competitive disadvantage."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 20, 2019
Tamper at your own risk!