Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was fined $25,000 U.S. on Thursday for comments he made to the Star about Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh.

Jackson publicly expressed the Lakers? interest in Bosh, in violation of the NBA?s anti-tampering rule, Stu Jackson, the NBA?s senior vice-president of basketball operations, announced.

Prior to the Lakers? Dec. 8 game at Toronto, Jackson told the Star his team should have some room to sign some free agents next season, and mentioned Bosh as a player of interest.

?There are some that will be available in the year following that you obviously have to take a look at and this kid here is one of them,? Jackson said. ?Chris Bosh, obviously everybody?s going to be interested in and we think he?s become quite a talent.?