Lakers Release Statement Expressing Regret After Fine for Paul George Tampering

The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Thursday that they accepted the tampering charges levied against them by the NBA and subsequent $500,000 fine. 

"We respect and accept the NBA's decision regarding this matter," general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. "On behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers, I want to express our regret over this unfortunate incident to both our fans and the NBA."

According to ESPN.com, Pelinka was found to have contacted Paul George's agent, which "constituted a prohibited expression of interest in the player while he was under contract" with his former team, the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers filed the tampering charges to the league. George, meanwhile, was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer.  

"We are pleased that this matter has been brought to a close—and we can assure the fans that the Lakers will be hyper-vigilant going forward to make sure this is never an issue again," the team’s counsel, Adam Streisand, noted.

The Lakers and George are unlikely to be linked for the last time, however. Rumors throughout the past year have suggested George eventually plans to return to his hometown of Los Angeles and sign with the Lakers next summer.