The Los Angeles Clippers are facing renewed scrutiny over their 2019 signing of Kawhi Leonard after new documents raised questions about possible salary cap violations.
Journalist Pablo Torre revealed that Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, an allegedly fraudulent tree-planting company later funded with $50 million from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. The arrangement, described as a “no-show job,” required little to no promotional work from Leonard, according to documents obtained by Pablo Torre Finds Out.
The report suggests that the deal may have served as a financial sweetener to secure Leonard’s commitment to the Clippers in free agency. At the time, Leonard was the most sought-after player on the market after leading the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship.
NBA executives had already expressed concerns in 2019 about the methods used to lure Leonard to Los Angeles. Allegations included improper requests made by Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, during negotiations with multiple teams. Those suspicions prompted the league to open an investigation.
The league ultimately stated it found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Clippers. However, the new documents indicate that Leonard’s endorsement contract was structured in a way that aligned directly with his tenure as a Clippers player. Payments were reportedly tied to his employment with the franchise.
Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, teams are prohibited from providing off-the-books benefits to players. Salary cap circumvention is considered one of the most serious violations, with potential penalties including fines, loss of draft picks, or even contract nullification.
The Clippers issued a statement denying any misconduct. “Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration. Any contrary assertion is provably false,” the organization said.
Leonard has since signed multiple contract extensions with the Clippers, most recently a three-year, $152.4 million deal in January 2024. He remains the centerpiece of a roster built around him and James Harden, though injuries have limited his availability in recent seasons.
The controversy adds another layer to one of the most consequential free agency decisions in modern NBA history. The Clippers mortgaged their future to pair Leonard with George, sending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a haul of draft picks to Oklahoma City. That move reshaped the league, with Gilgeous-Alexander now an MVP and Finals MVP for the Thunder in 2025.
