NBA Rumors: Are the Bulls, Heat about to be punished harshly?
NBA Rumors: Is the league about to drop the hammer on the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat?
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have been two of the most surprisingly impressive teams in the league this season. And a big reason why for their success early this season is due to the offseason additions of Lonzo Ball and Kyle Lowry, respectively.
The Bulls and Heat added Ball and Lowry via sign-and-trades during the offseason. The problem, and what the NBA has been investigating, is whether or not they did it illegally.
Chicago and Miami agreed to S&T deals shortly after the start of free agency. Considering they were S&T deals, it would seem that some conversations were taking place before the legal time frame. And that reportedly sparked outrage among rival front offices.
Nevertheless, the NBA is reportedly on the verge of a conclusion of the investigation. And there’s a chance that both the Bulls and Heat could be hammered with penalties.
"[via ESPN]The NBA has conducted numerous interviews with team executives and player agents and has gathered electronic messaging of front-office executives of four teams — Chicago, New Orleans, Miami and Toronto — over the past three months, sources said. The league could reveal its findings and any penalties in the near future."
While it’s unlikely that the league would drop the ultimate hammer on the team, which would be the rescinding of contracts given to Ball and Lowry, there’s also a chance that the league could either give the teams a hefty fine, suspend certain members of the front office, or even penalize the teams with the surrendering of draft picks.
It remains to be seen what exactly the league will do but the expectation is that we should hear a resolution sooner rather than later.
Next. NBA Power Rankings: Nets have shaken off uneven start; Suns get hot. dark
Depending on the findings, at the very least you’d have to expect several fines to be handed out in this investigation. We should find out more soon and there’s a growing sense that there’s a very real chance the Bulls and Heat are about to get hammered.