The NBA's investigation into possible pre-free agency tampering on the sign-and-trade acquisitions of Lonzo Ball and Kyle Lowry are in their advanced stages.

The Chicago Bulls acquired Ball from the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Miami Heat acquired Lowry from the Toronto Raptors.

The NBA has conducted interviews with team executives and player agents while also gathering electronic messaging of front office executives of the four teams.

The NBA instituted more stringent penalties in these cases in 2019, including raising the maximum fine for teams to $10 million and including the possibility of suspending team executives, forfeiting draft picks and even the voiding of contracts. 

The Milwaukee Bucks lost a 2022 second round pick for tampering charges with Bogdan Bogdanovic.