Mark Cuban thought he was pretty funny over the weekend, when he suggested that the Lakers should amnesty Kobe Bryant in the off-season to take his $30 million salary off their books.
The NBA didn’t find it funny, and CBSSports.com is reporting that the league is investigating those comments.
The NBA is debating whether to fine Cuban for saying Friday that the Lakers should consider waiving Bryant next season via the one-time amnesty provision. The Lakers would still have to pay Bryant his $30.5-million salary next season but would save the corresponding amount, if not slightly more, in luxury taxes.
The NBA could be concerned with Cuban violating tampering rules. As I hinted at yesterday, Cuban can say he was speaking hypothetically, but the moment the Lakers were to cut Kobe Bryant, Cuban would be first at Mamba’s door, with that same $30 million offer.