The NBA on Monday stripped the Philadelphia 76ers of two second-round draft picks in 2023 and 2024 for breaking the rules on free agency negotiations
The sixers were reportedly engaged in talks with two free agents P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr., before the permitted date for such discussions.
Why Are Philadelphia 76ers Stripped Of Two Second-Round Draft Picks In 2023-2024 For Violating Free Agency Negotiation Rules
@sixers tampering violation ! @nba pic.twitter.com/3NtrjUbQ8q
— OutOfTheBoxSports (@OOTBOXSPORTS) November 1, 2022
Pretty significant news: the NBA just stripped the Sixers of their second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 for violating tampering rules with both P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr.
If memory serves, this is the harshest penalty in the NBA so far for this kind of tampering.
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) October 31, 2022
Teams in the NBA were not allowed to have contract discussions with players holding free-agent contracts before 6 p.m. on June 30.
Philadelphia 76ers signs Tucker and House
The Sixers signed both Tucker and House who were free agents during the summer. Tucker signed a $33.2 million, three-year contract with the Sixers, which is the full mid-level exception.
While House signed for $8.4 million over two years, which is the bi-annual exception. Both the players previously played with 76ers guard James Harden when he was an NBA MVP with the Houston Rockets.
The duo also have a relationship with the current 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey. Morey was the Houston’s general manager back when Tucker and House were in the team.
Not The First Time For Daryl Morey
NBA fans are surely not surprised with the actions against the Philadelphia 76ers as this is not the first time that a club handled by Morey has fallen against the “tampering” rules of the NB.
Back in 2021, the NBA fined Morey and the 76ers $75,000 each after Morey tweeted about Stephen Curry. The Warriors star however, chose to sign a $215 million extension to remain with Golden State.
Back in 2020 as well, the NBA fined Morey $50,000 for posting a tweet about Harden when he was still playing for the Rockets.
Team’s Official Statement
The team made a statement on the issue saying:
“The Philadelphia 76ers fully cooperated with the NBA’s investigation and acknowledge the league’s ruling. We’re moving forward, focused on the season ahead.”
Similar Cases
The NBA has had similar cases in the past, choosing to approve stiffer penalties for tampering. Back in 2019 the NBA stripped a draft pick from the Chicago Bulls for early contact with Lonzo Ball. In 2021 again, the organization stripped the Miami Heat for doing the same with Kyle Lowry.