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Report: NBA's anti-tampering measures include random team audits

David Dow / National Basketball Association / Getty

With the NBA Board of Governors meeting underway in New York on Thursday and Friday, members are expected to vote on further anti-tampering measures in the wake of substantial player movement this summer.

While a report last week outlined increased fines up to $10 million for teams found to be in violation of anti-tampering rules, more details of the league's proposal surfaced Thursday. The NBA wants to undertake an annual, random audit of five teams' communications with other front offices and player agents, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.

All top team officials would also reportedly be required to save their communications with agents for one year. Team executives are apparently concerned whether that means the league would access their cellphones and emails.

"I don't think (commissioner Adam Silver) should have any right to get into my phone," ESPN quoted one unidentified general manager as saying. "I wish my owner would vote no, but I doubt he will. You'll only make yourself a target for investigation if you do."

The updated anti-tampering rules would reportedly also allow the league to take draft picks away from teams as punishment for violations. That isn't unprecedented: In 2000, the Minnesota Timberwolves were stripped of four future first-round picks as a result of giving Joe Smith an illegal contract that circumvented the salary cap.

Concern over players teaming up on big-market franchises intensified this summer, with superstars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving all moving - through either free agency or successful trade demands - to teams in Los Angeles or New York City.

The league was also apparently concerned that several free-agent deals were reported before the official negotiating window opened at 6 p.m. ET on June 30.

A vote on the NBA's anti-tampering proposal is expected to take place Friday.

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