The Raptors have said they are aware of the NBA’s tampering investigation centered on a sign-and-trade deal centered on guard Kyle Lowry, and that they intend to cooperate.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the NBA is expected to examine the deal that sent Lowry to the Heat, and if there was contact between players and teams that may have occured before the start of free agency on Monday at 6 p.m. EST.
The league is also investigating a sign-and-trade between the Pelicans and Bulls that involved point guard Lonzo Ball, per Wojnarowski and Shelburne.
“Miami negotiated a three-year, $85 million deal with Lowry in the sign-and-trade that sent guard Goran Dragic and forward Precious Achiuwa to the Raptors,” Wojnarowski and Shelburne wrote. “The Heat guaranteed Dragic’s $19.4 million team option on Sunday, which allowed them to use him in the sign-and-trade deal.”
Punishments for tampering can include the suspension of team executives, forfeiture of draft picks or voiding of contracts. Teams can also be fined up to $10 million.
Lowry, 35, averaged 17.2 points and 7.3 assists last season.
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