Jerry West is reportedly being sued by an individual who claims he was promised $2.5 million to help the Clippers get Kawhi Leonard.
The man, Johnny Wilkes, claims to be a friend of Leonard and, in details of a lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports, outlines how he helped convince the forward to sign with the Clippers. Wilkes alleges having drawn up a plan for the team to get Kawhi’s signature that included firstly landing Paul George.
TMZ’s report reads:
“It’s all in a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports … in which Johnny Wilkes spells out how he agreed to work with West for a small fortune in exchange for help getting Kawhi in a Clippers uni. Wilkes says back on April 10, 2019, he met West at Staples Center and informed the Clippers’ executive board member he had close ties to Kawhi and Kawhi’s uncle, Dennis Robertson.
“Wilkes says he and West exchanged contact information … and a few weeks later, in June, West asked Wilkes for help in courting Kawhi to Los Angeles. In the suit, Wilkes claims he told West he’d only help if the Clippers would pay him $2.5 MILLION … and Wilkes claims West agreed to the terms.
“Wilkes says in the lawsuit he “immediately went to work” … and began convincing Kawhi and Kawhi’s uncle the Clippers were the right team for him after he had just left the Toronto Raptors.”
Wilkes also claims to have set up a deal that saw Kawhi’s infamous Uncle Dennis get a Southern California home and a travel expense account from the Clippers; he says he was present at a celebration dinner that took place after the deal got over the line. West again agreed to pay the $2.5 million while at the dinner but he’s yet to receive a single penny.
A rep for West told TMZ West hadn’t been made aware he was being sued.
“I am not aware of any lawsuit being filed against me and I deny engaging in any improper conduct in connection with the signing of Kawhi Leonard,” a statement from the Clippers exec reads.
