Paul George downplays tampering concerns

This past summer, the Indiana Pacers voiced concerns regarding potential tampering. NBA investigators looked through the communications between Paul George and Lakers’ associate head coach Brian Shaw. George recently spoke about the situation to ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth.

“It was a hassle that really shouldn’t have been made up to what it was. I understand the Pacers were mad about the situation, but there was nothing there. We are close, best friends, on that level, more than anything else. We were confident we were fine that nothing was going to come up. And we stick with our relationship.”

Shaw and George frequently take fishing trips together, but the Lakers were warned by the league about possible tampering charges. The Lakers were eventually fined $500,000 due to GM Rob Pelinka’s contact with George’s agent.

This story reappeared due to OKC’s recent two-game trip to LA amongst speculation that George may return to the west coast next season.

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne has the full scoop here.

In the meantime, George continues to kill it in OKC.