The initial report on tampering in the NBA concerned GMs and their displeasure with the league's passive stance. The memo changed so many hands in so little time that NBA decision-makers are being forced into a zero-sum game. According to ESPN's noted NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that an anti-tampering legislature is being passed around to curve the level of incitement generated by LeBron James' passing commentary in regard to playing with Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans in the foreseeable future.
As previously noted, when asked about the prospect of playing with AD, LeBron James remarked that it would be "amazing," short of going into any details. After receiving backlash from the media, LeBron James used his next rendezvous with the press to clarify his stance. "Ask me if I'd like to play with Jimmy Butler," James issued as a challenge to the reporters at his behest a few days later. "Say it right now. Ask me about Kyrie Irving, Giannis. Ask me about Embiid, Ben Simmons. Go ahead, all of them. Luka Doncic. Ask me right now."
The memo that Wojnarowski has brought to light states that employed contracts must be respected under all circumstances. The letter goes onto say, "This principle is particularly important in today's media environment, where any actions or comments relating to potential player movement receive immediate and widespread public attention. Teams should be entitled to focus their efforts on the competition this season with the players they have under contract, without having to divert attention or resources to conduct or speculation regarding the potential destinations of those players in future seasons once their contracts expire."
However clear the stated goals of tampering are to the naked eye, there is no comprehensible definition making the rounds - and until the NBA sits down and puts it into detailed writing, small market teams are still going be at a loss. Where do you draw the line on tampering? Was LeBron ever in the wrong when he postured towards Antony Davis, comment below?