Tilman Fertitta clearly wasn’t aware the rule.
Last week, one the biggest trades the year was made when the Oklahoma City Thunder sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul. It was clear that Westbrook wanted out OKC and considering Paul’s relationship with James Harden, the deal made sense for both parties. As right now, the Thunder are shopping Chris Paul but they aren’t in too much a rush to get a trade finalized.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta was pretty excited about the deal and issued a statement on Thursday to say that Paul would be missed. Well, it turns out Fertitta must have missed the rules meeting because it was reported by Marc Stein the New York Times that his comments go against the league’s rules.
The team was issued a $25,000 fine by the league because you’re not allowed to comment on trades and deals before they become ficial. At the time Fertitta’s comments, the trade hadn’t been 100 percent finalized and that’s why has to pay up now.
Luckily for Fertitta, he bought the Rockets two years ago for $2.2 billion so he’s more than wealthy enough to pay the fine. At least next time he’ll know not to unleash the wrath Adam Silver.