The NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard is still hanging over the league, and it may not be wrapped up anytime soon.
According to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, the case could stretch into 2027 if the sides can’t come to terms on the findings or on any settlement that includes punishment for the team.
“The NBA investigation into whether the LA Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard could drag into 2027 if the parties don't agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team, sources with knowledge of the case told ESPN on Wednesday,” Holmes wrote.
The players’ union is also prepared to push back. Holmes reported that “Sources close to the National Basketball Players Association with knowledge of the investigation said the union wouldn't hesitate to take the matter to arbitration if the NBA sought penalties without sufficient evidence proving the claim that the Clippers have denied since the league's probe began nearly 10 months ago.”
At the center of the inquiry is whether the Clippers paid Leonard through a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, the green banking company that has since gone bankrupt. The team has consistently denied that it funneled money to Leonard through the company.
If the league concludes that money was routed to Leonard, the possible punishment is significant: a team fine of up to $7.5 million, forfeiture of draft picks, voiding a player’s contract, and a suspension of up to one year for any team personnel involved.
The Clippers traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors during the offseason, but the deal has not yet been completed because of the investigation. It could still wait until training camp, and based on where things stand now, it may take even longer than that.
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