OKC Thunder and small markets set to benefit from new NBA tampering rules

With the league having last refined the fines in 1996 and experienced massive revenue growth in the 23 years since that time it was logical the NBA wanted to put the fines more in line with today’s market. The proposed top end fine could be up to $10 million dollars. With franchises valued in the billions, this still seems like more of a slap on the wrist.

Other punishments may prove to be more of a deterrent in the long run. Specifically, the loss of draft picks, suspensions of team personnel and arguably the most egregious punishment the potential to void the new player contract.

Despite the Association moving up the Free Agency Moratorium this year stars still announced they were switching clubs prior to the official June 30th, 6:00 p.m. EST start. This only served to highlight just how far out of control the situation has become. Clearly, agents, players, and teams held discussions prior to the legal launch. Furthermore, for the franchises who do follow the rules, they were operating at a disadvantage.

"The NBA has been largely powerless to stop the practice, which has gone on for years and seemed to be particularly out of control this summer. In the first 90 minutes of free agency this summer, at least $1.4 billion in contracts were committed to across the league."

Superstars like Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Kevin Durant, announced they would join their new clubs in some cases hours before the moratorium began. Had these players remained with their current clubs it wouldn’t have raised so many eyebrows. But, clearly leaving to join a new team and knowing this was happening prior to the moratorium official launch meant discussions and meetings had occurred illegally.