After nearly a year of an intense deep dive, the NBA’s verdict on the Kawhi Leonard salary cap probe is in: it’s a massive win for the Los Angeles Clippers. Sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday that investigators found no proof Clippers owner Steve Ballmer illegally funneled money to Leonard, totally clearing the air around that controversial $28 million endorsement deal.
That “No-Show” Deal That Had Everyone Talking
Remember when journalist Pablo Torre dropped that bombshell? He reported Leonard inked a huge $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a green tech company that just so happens to be heavily backed by Ballmer himself. The big red flag? Torre alleged Leonard did little to no promotional work, immediately raising suspicions that this whole thing was a “no-show job” designed to pay him under the table. This wasn’t some quick look either. Over 11 months, the probe grew, expanding to scrutinize at least three other companies linked to the Clippers franchise. Talk about a full-court press from the league!
Ballmer and Kawhi Weren’t Having It
Throughout all the digging, both Leonard and Ballmer vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The team wasn’t shy about hitting back either, blasting the claims as “absurd.” Now, the NBA has backed them up. A Clippers spokesperson was quick to jump on the news, emphasizing that connecting players with business partners is just “ordinary practice” in the league. They also made sure everyone knew the Clippers never even got involved in the actual contract details themselves. It’s a clean slate, a total slam dunk for the franchise, proving those “absurd” claims couldn’t stick.
The Green Light for Toronto
This isn’t just about clearing names, though. This verdict clears the biggest hurdle standing between Kawhi Leonard and his return north! We’ve all been watching that blockbuster trade to the Toronto Raptors, right? Well, it was explicitly frozen since early July. Raptors officials were straight up refusing to finalize the deal, dead set on waiting until the league sorted out the risk of potential player penalties. Now? That risk is gone. The path is clear. It’s time to see that trade finally go through and watch Kawhi head back to Toronto. What a wild ride, and now the next chapter is ready to kick off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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