LeBron James clearly violated the NBA’s tampering rules discussing Anthony Davis, and small-market general managers are annoyed with the league’s lack of response.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports are “privately expression outrage” that the NBA is seemingly not enforcing the rules. An anonymous Eastern Conference GM shared his frustration to Wojnarowski.
“It’s New Orleans’ problem today, and a problem with a different player tomorrow for the rest of us. It’s open season on small markets and our players.”
LeBron previously said it would be “amazing” for the Lakers to trade for Davis, an All-Star center who dominates on both ends of the floor. Recruiting players in private is one thing, but James made the statement publicly.
However, the NBA tends to not address these comments when players say them — though executives are a different story.
In fairness to LeBron, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo also recently made a pitch for Davis to join the franchise. This isn’t an isolated “issue.”
The frustration of small-market executives is understandable and worth discussing. But there probably won’t be a big response from the NBA, either.