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Report: Lakers warned employees about tampering in meeting

Jesse D. Garrabrant / National Basketball Association / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss and president of basketball operations Magic Johnson recently held a meeting to warn employees not to tamper with players ahead of free agency, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

"We are under incredible scrutiny with everything, so Jeanie and Earvin had to make this crystal, crystal clear to everyone," one source told Shelburne.

The Lakers have been fined twice in the past year for tampering. The franchise was hit with a $500,000 fine on Aug. 31 after general manager Rob Pelinka spoke with Paul George's agent and expressed interest in the All-Star while he was still under contract with another team.

On Feb. 6, the franchise was fined $50,000 when Johnson praised Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in an interview with ESPN's Nick Friedell, predicting the Greek star will one day bring a championship to Milwaukee.

The Lakers are expected to be a potential destination for George and LeBron James.

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