The NBA launched an investigation into whether Los Angeles Clipper star guard Kawhi Leonard’s four-year, $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration (a now-bankrupt company connected financially to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer) may have been used to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap.
The investigation’s fact-finding phase is now complete, and now Leonard, the Clippers, Ballmer, and the rest of the league awaits its verdict.
One of the NBA’s worst-kept secrets right now is the Toronto Raptors’ potential blockbuster trade for Leonard. Both the Raptors and the Clippers want to get the deal done, even though the belief was that the investigation could stretch into 2027.
But according to a report from NBA insider Marc Stein, Leonard now believes the investigation will conclude before the start of training camp. Therefore, with clarity on the investigation’s outcome now expected to arrive sooner rather than later (NBA training camp begins in late September), it seems that Leonard’s Los Angeles exit might be happening soon.
And for Leonard, it isn’t just the investigation’s findings that will influence his future. The findings will also impact his career in a way Clippers fans won’t like.
Toronto would obviously be hesitant to close a deal if they are to pay for the ramifications of Leonard’s behavior in Los Angeles, though.
The transaction, which was agreed to on June 30, was placed on hold after the NBA informed Toronto that it would assume the risk of any punishment affecting Leonard once the trade became official.
This could either mean that the Raptors will pause the trade if Leonard faces punishment, or they might move forward with if he is found innocent.
There’s no indication of how a potential penalty would impact Leonard or the Raptors. Either way, the writing for his Clippers exit is on the wall, and could be arriving soon.
