[Saba Sports News] The Phoenix Suns are facing an NBA investigation into alleged tampering related to the signing of veteran big man Drew Eubanks. The probe centers on potential impermissible early contact with Eubanks during free agency. Phoenix inked Eubanks to a two-year, $5 million deal in the offseason, including a player option for the second year.
NBA free agency officially began on June 30 at 6 PM EST, and the Suns announced their agreement with Eubanks just minutes later, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Eubanks, known as a role player with career averages of 6.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, is an unexpected focal point of this tampering investigation. However, he is expected to contribute significantly to the Suns’ depth this season, as evidenced by his performance in Phoenix’s Opening Night victory over the Golden State Warriors, where he recorded four points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 19 minutes.
According to Marc Stein, NBA teams found in violation of tampering rules are typically penalized with the loss of a second-round draft pick, as has been seen in recent cases involving more prominent players.