It looks like the Los Angeles Lakers played a little too closely to the fire when it comes to Paul George.





After receiving a warning for Magic Johnson's comments about his desire to sign PG13 back in April, the team has been slapped with a whopping $500,000​ fine for breaking the NBA's tampering rules:

NBA fines Lakers $500K for violating the league's anti-tampering rule in regards to Paul George. pic.twitter.com/ivrP96H8QF — Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) August 31, 2017





While the superstar was just traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in July, he is set to become a free agent next summer. George has expressed interest in the Lakers in the past, but it seems that L.A got a bit too aggressive in trying to recruit him.





However serious this may sound, obviously the league doesn't seem to be too concerned, considering that a $500,000 fine for a team as successful as the Lakers is pretty measly. It almost just looks like a slap on the wrist.





Some fans think that the punishment for this type of violation should have been a bit harsher:

Should’ve also docked the Lakers a draft pick. — Matt Itelson (@mattitelson) August 31, 2017





Hopefully, the Lakers still learn their lesson from this punishment, however small it may seem.