Dwight Howard, Chris Paul Free Agent News: Three NBA Teams Fined For Tampering

The Atlanta Hawks are one of at least three NBA teams to be fined for tampering, according to USA TODAY.

The paper did not offer many details about the specific violations involved nor mention the two other teams by name, but the Hawks drew the attention of many last week when an employee mailed out a letter to season ticketholders boasting “the possibilities of landing Chris Paul & Dwight Howard become more and more of a reality.”

 Paul and Howard are both free agents this summer and the Hawks are among a list that includes, Dallas, Houston and New Jersey to have publicly expressed interest in them. The Clippers and Lakers, both their respective teams last season, are also in the chase to bring back their star players.  

In a statement, the Hawks told USA TODAY: “We fully understand and respect the NBA’s decision. The paper adds the memo says the teams were fined because “The conduct at issue involved statements by a team employee to the media, a team email to prospective season ticket purchased, and articles posted online on a team website, each related to players who are currently under contract to other teams but who will become free agents this summer."

For the most part, both Howard and Paul have been mum about their plans. The Clippers fired Coach Vinny Negro and Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak held private season-ending meetings with Howard, in acts that were both seen as efforts meant to increase each team’s chances of retaining their star player.

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