THE Los Angeles Clipers have been fined US$250,000 over an improper offer made to DeAndre Jordan last month as they attempted to re-sign the player, the NBA said Tuesday.

    A statement from the NBA headquarters said the Clippers had violated league rules prohibiting teams from offering players unauthorized business or investment opportunities.

    It said the violation related to a pitch made by the Clippers to Jordan on July 2, which “improperly included a potential third-party endorsement opportunity for the player.”

    “While the NBA’s investigation ultimately concluded that the presentation of this opportunity had no impact on Jordan’s decision to re-sign with the Clippers, the team’s conduct nevertheless violated the league’s anti-circumvention rules,” the NBA statement said.

    Strick NBA anti-circumvention rules bar teams from providing or arranging for others to provide any kind of compensation not included in a contract or form permitted.

    Jordan re-signed with the Clippers amid controversy last month after he reneged on a verbal agreement with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to switch teams.

    Jordan later apologized to Cuban for changing his mind.

    (SD-Agencies)