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NBA notebook: Lakers fined for tampering

[September 01, 2017] The Sports Xchange

The Los Angeles Lakers have been fined $500,000 on Thursday by the NBA for violating the anti-tampering rule.

The league said the fine was a result of communication between Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and representatives for Paul George, while the All-Star forward was still a member of the Indiana Pacers.

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

--The Boston Celtics sent the Cleveland Cavaliers a 2020 second-round draft pick to complete the blockbuster trade sending four-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to the Celtics.

The key player headed to Cleveland in the deal, guard Isaiah Thomas, has a hip injury that prompted the Cavaliers to seek additional compensation. Cleveland also got Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and an unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick via the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Irving.

The 2020 pick that Cleveland will receive originally belonged to Miami before the Heat sent to Boston in the Zoran Dragic deal in July 2015.

--Chicago Bulls guard Cameron Payne will undergo surgery for a fractured right foot next week.

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The Bulls issued a statement saying Payne fractured the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during a workout on July 18. Payne spent six weeks in a boot, but the team said the fracture hadn't healed properly and will require surgery.

While Chicago did not divulge a timetable for his absence, ESPN reported that Payne will likely miss at least a couple of months.

--The Orlando Magic signed free agent guards Troy Caupain and Kalin Lucas to contracts.

Caupain averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 137 career games at the University of Cincinnati. He is the Bearcats' all-time assists leader with 515.

Lucas averaged 18.0 points, 5.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds over 48 games last season with the Iowa Energy and Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League.

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