Sources told ESPN that the NBA is investigating possible tampering violations in two free agency sign-and trade deals, Chicago's acquisition New Orleans's Lonzo Ball, and Miami's purchase of Toronto's Kyle Lowry.Before Monday's opening of free agency at 6 p.m., the NBA will conduct an investigation into illegal contact between players and teams. Sources told ESPN that ET was the name of the investigation. Sources said that players, agents, and team executives were notified about the opening of investigations by the league office.In 2019, the NBA imposed more severe penalties for these cases, including a $10 million maximum fine for teams and the possibility of team executives being suspended, forfeiting draft picks or even voiding contracts. The team executives can have their communications, such as texts and telephone records, randomly audited.Sign-and trade arrangements can be more complex and take longer than the typical free-agent signings. They often require more discussion and negotiation.New Orleans reached an agreement to trade Ball, a restricted-free agent, to Chicago for a four-year contract worth $85 million for Garrett Temple and a new contract worth $15.5 million for guard Tomas Satoransky. Sources said that the final form of this deal is still being finalized by the league office.In the sign-and trade that sent Goran Dragic to the Raptors as guard and Precious Achiuwa forward, Miami reached a $85 million three-year deal with Lowry. Dragic's $19.4million team option was guaranteed by the Heat on Sunday. This allowed them to use him as part of the sign-and trade deal.The Milwaukee Bucks lost their 2022 second-round selection for tampering with Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Sacramento Kings' restricted free agent. He was due to be replaced by a Milwaukee Hawks player in 2021. The NBA also took into account that Bogdanovic was not signed by the Bucks -- the Atlanta Hawks did.
