The NBA has found no evidence showing LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap, according to ESPN.
The Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks on June 30, but the trade was put on hold on July 9.
That trade can go through now.
“Two sources with direct knowledge of the situation said Leonard has maintained to the NBPA, league and Wachtell Lipton that he had no involvement in salary cap circumvention, and so far conversations around potential consequences have centered on him paying restitution for potential improper benefits from the Clippers, such as travel and lodging, for his representative and uncle Dennis Robertson,” ESPN wrote.
In the summer of 2019, Leonard left the Raptors for the Clippers, who acquired Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Leonard and George were teammates in Los Angeles for five seasons before George left the Clippers for the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2024.
The Clippers, who traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers last season, have never made the NBA Finals in franchise history. Leonard has one year left on his contract. He will make $50.3 million next season.
A future Hall of Famer, Leonard put up 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season. The swingman played in 65 games, the most games he’s played in since the 2023-24 season.
However, the Clippers missed the playoffs after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the 9-10 play-in game at home.
A top-75 player of all time, Leonard has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Raptors and Clippers. He holds career averages of 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the regular season and 21.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in the playoffs.
Leonard is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All-Star. He was interviewed by NBA investigators.
