The NBA has confirmed it is investigating the Los Angeles Clippers after new reports questioned the legality of Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 free agency signing.
League spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN the organization is “aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation.”
The scrutiny follows documents obtained by journalist Pablo Torre, which revealed Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-collapsed tree-planting company. The firm was reportedly funded with $50 million from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
According to Torre’s report, the arrangement was described as a “no-show job” requiring little to no promotional work from Leonard. Payments allegedly aligned directly with his tenure in Los Angeles, raising concerns the deal may have functioned as an under-the-table incentive to secure his commitment.
Leonard was the most sought-after player in the 2019 offseason after leading the Toronto Raptors to the NBA championship. The Clippers paired him with Paul George in a blockbuster trade that reshaped the Western Conference.
At the time, rival executives had already questioned the recruitment process. Reports surfaced that Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, made improper requests during negotiations with multiple teams, prompting the NBA to open an inquiry. That case closed with the league stating no violations were found.
The new revelations revive questions about potential salary cap circumvention. Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, teams cannot provide hidden financial benefits outside of official contracts. Penalties for violations include heavy fines, forfeiture of draft picks, or even voided agreements.
The Clippers strongly denied any wrongdoing. “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 team said in a statement.
Leonard has since signed multiple extensions with the franchise, including a three-year, $152.4 million deal in January 2024. Despite recurring injuries, he remains the centerpiece of a roster built around him and James Harden.
The situation also highlights the long-term impact of the Clippers’ 2019 gamble. To acquire George, the team traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a historic package of draft picks to Oklahoma City. Gilgeous-Alexander has since become a league MVP and 2025 Finals MVP with the Thunder, magnifying the stakes of the Clippers’ pursuit of Leonard.
