started · updated
Los Angeles Clippers' Salary‑Cap Probe Keeps Kawhi Leonard Trade on Hold Until 2027
The NBA is conducting a nearly year‑long investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers bypassed the league's salary‑cap rules by using Kawhi Leonard's 2022 $28 million endorsement agreement with the now‑bankrupt firm Aspiration. The probe, launched about ten months ago, is being led by the law firm Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz. The Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer have consistently denied any misconduct, and NBPA executive director David Kelly has said he has seen no evidence that would warrant penalties. Commissioner Adam Silver has urged that the investigation be completed before the start of the next season, but the league warned it could extend to 2027 if the Clippers, the NBPA and the NBA cannot agree on findings or disciplinary measures, which might then be sent to an independent arbitrator. Because of the uncertainty, the blockbuster trade that would send Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors—along with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple future first‑round picks—has been placed on hold. The Raptors would assume any risk of sanctions, which could include fines up to $7.5 million, loss of draft picks, voiding of contracts and suspensions of up to one year for personnel.
Entities
Adam Silver · Aspiration · Aspiration Partners Inc. · Kawhi Leonard · Los Angeles Clippers · NBA · Steve Ballmer · Toronto Raptors
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Los Angeles Clippers have denied any wrongdoing related to the alleged salary‑cap circumvention. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news · hoopswire.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Aspiration co‑founder Joseph Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a $248 million wire‑fraud scheme. www.hoopsrumors.com · time.news
- [● 9 SOURCES] The NBA investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard could extend to 2027 if parties cannot agree on findings or settlement. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news · hoopswire.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · +3 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kawhi Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration in 2022. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news
- [● 4 SOURCES] A proposed trade sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors has been put on hold pending the investigation. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news
- [● 9 SOURCES] The NBA hired law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to investigate the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news · hoopswire.com · nypost.com · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The investigation is also examining whether the Clippers improperly covered expenses for Leonard without reimbursement. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news
- [● 5 SOURCES] The National Basketball Players Association said it would not hesitate to take the matter to arbitration if the NBA seeks penalties without sufficient evidence. www.hoopsrumors.com · thesource.com · time.news · www.sportingnews.com · nypost.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the investigation should be wrapped up before the start of the next season. hoopswire.com · www.essentiallysports.com · nypost.com · sportowefakty.wp.pl · thesportingbase.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The trade sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors (including Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft assets) has been placed on hold pending the investigation. www.spacemoney.com.br · ca.sports.yahoo.com · www.essentiallysports.com · nypost.com · thesportingbase.com · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Potential penalties could include fines up to $7.5 million, loss of draft picks, voiding player contracts and suspensions of up to one year for personnel. www.spacemoney.com.br · nypost.com · time.news · thesportingbase.com · sportowefakty.wp.pl · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer deny any wrongdoing in the alleged salary‑cap circumvention. sportowefakty.wp.pl · thesportingbase.com · www.blogdebasket.com