NBA investigating the Lakers, what it could mean for LeBron James and the Cavs

Could the likelihood of LeBron James to Los Angeles be devasted by new tampering investigation?

The NBA has opened up on a tampering investigation at the request of the Indiana Pacers, Peter Vecsey reported late Saturday night, and it could impact LeBron James and his future decisions.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelbourne have just confirmed Vecsey report.

The NBA today released a statement on the investigation.

"“At the request of the Indiana Pacers, the NBA opened an investigation into alleged tampering by the Los Angeles Lakers. The independent investigation is being conducted by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The Lakers have been cooperative and, at this point, no findings have been made. We have asked both teams to refrain from commenting while the investigation is ongoing.”"

According to Vecsey, if found guilty, the Lakers could be “docked multiple draft picks.” Owner and general manager could be suspended for a year or more and possibly fined millions. The most severe punishment the Lakers could get from the NBA is forbidding the Lakers to sign Paul George when he’s a free agent next summer.

What does this mean for LeBron James and the Cavaliers?

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It means a lot of things. If the Lakers lose multiple first round draft picks in the coming years, it makes them less likely to offload contract for a player like Luol Deng. Lakers also have to trade Jordan Clarkson away as well. That shouldn’t be as much as a problem for them if they lose multiple first round picks.

By them not being able to trade away those players, it means it is less likely the Lakers can sign both LeBron James and Paul George. They would most likely have to choose between the two.

If the Lakers are restricted from signing Paul George next summer, the Lakers won’t be able to sign James as well. James still wants to win titles in his career. James will not leave a Cavaliers team that will still go the Finals every year without a Kyrie Irving.

A team led by Lonzo Ball-Brandon Ingram-LeBron James will not make it to even the conference finals in the tough Western Conference.

Depending on the outcome of this investigation, what the Lakers want to do next summer will be on hold.

This story is probably the second-biggest story in this crazy offseason. Everyone in the league is watching. Every team, player, and agent is watching this closely. Teams now know how the Lakers possibly operate. If the Lakers are found guilty in this investigation, free agents could be scared away from signing with the Lakers next summer.

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LeBron James will be most definitely watching this closely and seeing how this unfolds in the next couple of weeks.