The Cleveland Cavaliers have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to a law firm in an attempt to prove to the NBA that the Miami Heat violated the league's tampering rules in recruiting two-time defending MVP LeBron James, according to a report by Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Report: Cleveland Cavaliers Attempting To Prove Miami Heat Tampered In Recruiting LeBron James
Wojnarowski reports that the NBA has not opened up a formal tampering investigation because it is awaiting a request from the Cavs. Before making that request, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is seeking to build an air-tight case for the league. Wojnarowski writes that early returns on Cleveland's probe include proof of phone calls and meetings between Heat personnel and James dating back to 2008.
Of particular interest are an alleged meeting between James and Heat president Pat Riley in Miami in 2009, and a meeting between LeBron's representatives and Heat star Dwyane Wade in Chicago last June. James announced in early July that he'd be joining Wade and fellow free agent Chris Bosh in Miami.
If the league does find evidence of tampering, the Heat could be fined and lose draft picks as compensation to the Cavaliers. Wojnarowski also suggests members of Miami’s front office found to be complicit in the tampering could be suspended. Obviously, the Heat couldn’t be forced to send LeBron back to Cleveland, nor would his Heat contract be torn up.
Wojnarowski has been highly critical of LeBron and his right-hand man, Maverick Carter. Thursday marks LeBron’s first game back in Cleveland as a member of the Heat.
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