Adam Silver explains why Magic Johnson was fined for tampering

NBA commissioner Adam Silver explained on Thursday why some seemingly innocuous comments from Magic Johnson resulted in the Los Angeles Lakers executive being fined for tampering.

Late in January, Johnson praised Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and said the versatile forward would become an MVP and win a championship one day. Though the words seemed like basic praise, the Lakers were fined $50,000 by the league for tampering.

In an interview with ESPN’s “The Jump,” Silver said the league needed to send a message.

“Context is everything, and there had been a prior issue with the Lakers early this season,” Silver said. “And the message is — not just to Magic but to all the executives in the league is — stop talking about players on other teams.”

Indeed, the Lakers were fined in September for tampering with Paul George. Johnson was warned by the NBA for recruiting George to LA in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel. The Lakers were then fined after team GM Rob Pelinka contacted George’s agent.

Silver is making it clear that while the tampering rules exist in their current forms, league executives need to stop talking about opposing players.