NEW YORK — Kawhi Leonard released a statement Wednesday through agent Harrison Gaines, hours after the NBA penalized him and the Los Angeles Clippers in its salary cap circumvention case. Leonard said he accepts full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people in his inner circle.
Leonard said that through 15 years, his family, basketball, and the people he shares the court with have remained his priorities.
“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am,” Leonard said. “I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.”
“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap,” Leonard continued.
“As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate,” Leonard said.
What the NBA Found Regarding Kawhi Leonard
The NBA ordered Leonard to pay $700,000. According to the league’s findings, Leonard used then-business manager Dennis Robertson to press the Clippers for help obtaining off-court income, received that income, and did not repay personal expenses the team covered. The league kept Leonard’s contract in place and did not suspend him.
Robertson was banned for five years from conducting business or engaging with NBA teams and their affiliates on behalf of any player, employee, or league or team personnel. ESPN reported Wednesday that Leonard fired Robertson in June.
The Clippers were fined $30 million and stripped of five first-round picks, and owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year. DSJ has the full penalties and the findings from the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz investigation.
Leonard had addressed the case publicly once before Wednesday. At Clippers media day in September 2025, days after the first reports, he said the NBA would do its job, that no one had done anything wrong, and that he welcomed the investigation.
Harrison Gaines and Kawhi Leonard’s Contract
Gaines has represented Leonard since July, when ESPN reported that Leonard hired him to oversee negotiations with the Raptors. Gaines, of SLASH Sports, had worked with Leonard as his business attorney for about a year before the hire. ESPN reported that Leonard and the Raptors were expected to open contract extension talks in Toronto once the trade became official.
Leonard has one season and $50.3 million remaining on his contract.
Kawhi Leonard’s Season and the Toronto Raptors Trade
The Clippers and Toronto agreed on June 30 to send Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft compensation. The trade was placed on hold July 9 after the NBA informed Toronto it would assume any punishment levied against Leonard. As of Wednesday evening, neither club had announced that the trade was complete.
Leonard played 65 games last season, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He shot 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range. Leonard finished seventh in MVP voting and earned All-NBA Second Team honors. His 27.9 points per game were a career high across 14 NBA seasons.
Leonard won a championship and the Finals MVP award with Toronto in 2019, his only season with the Raptors. He signed with the Clippers that July.
