Philadelphia 76ers Jun 20, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Ben Simmons (25) in action against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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The Philadelphia 76ers will pay a price for breaking the rules.

The NBA announced Monday it has taken the 76ers‘ second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 because the team violated the league’s free agency rules last offseason. The team had been under investigation for several months for engaging in early free agency discussions involving P.J. Tucker and Danuel House.

The team issued a statement on the penalty.

“The Philadelphia 76ers fully cooperated with the NBA’s investigation and acknowledge the league’s ruling,” the statement read. “We’re moving forward, focused on the season ahead.”

Tucker and House signed free-agent contracts with the 76ers this offseason, and the timing of those deals had been under question.

The NBA added stiffer penalties for tampering in 2019. Previously, the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat lost draft picks for tampering in recent seasons.

NBA fans seemed to think the 76ers got off easy, pointing out that second-round picks usually don’t pan out anyway.

“Wow. Steep punishment. I’m sure they’ll never do it again. Can’t lose second rounders!” tweeted one fan.

“Most second round picks are out of the league within three years anyway,” tweeted another.

The 76ers are off to a 3-4 start to this NBA season.

[Shams Charania, The Athletic]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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