The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers has sparked comparisons to one of the league’s most infamous scandals. Insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson drew parallels between the current case and Joe Smith’s under-the-table agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the late 1990s.
Leonard is under scrutiny after journalist Pablo Torre reported he signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt company later funded with $50 million from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. The arrangement was described as a “no-show job” with payments allegedly tied to Leonard’s tenure in Los Angeles.
League spokesman Mike Bass told ESPN the NBA is aware of the report and has launched an investigation. The Clippers have denied wrongdoing, stating that neither Ballmer nor the franchise circumvented the salary cap and labeling the allegations “flat-out wrong.”
Robinson spoke with Smith, who provided first-hand perspective on how league investigations unfold. Smith recalled receiving an immediate call from NBA officials when his case emerged. “They were asking my side of the story while they’re doing their investigation,” Smith said.
He insisted he had no knowledge of wrongdoing during the signing process. “I was 23-24 years old and I was putting my trust in the agents that I thought had my back,” Smith explained. He ultimately had to leave Minnesota for a year before returning, while the Timberwolves were fined and lost multiple first-round draft picks.
Smith also pushed back against claims that he was to blame for the penalties. He described himself as a “bystander” caught in the middle of decisions made by agents and executives, a dynamic that echoes current concerns about Leonard’s case.
Both situations center on potential salary cap circumvention. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement prohibits teams from providing hidden benefits outside official contracts, with punishments ranging from heavy fines to draft pick forfeitures.
Robinson noted that while Leonard’s case involves endorsements and corporate partners rather than hidden contracts, the parallel lies in how external arrangements can influence free agency decisions. In both eras, the league has faced the challenge of maintaining competitive balance while players and teams seek an edge.
The Clippers, who mortgaged their future by trading for Paul George to pair with Leonard in 2019, face heightened scrutiny as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the centerpiece of that deal for Oklahoma City, has since become an MVP and Finals MVP.
Smith’s story remains a cautionary tale about how costly violations can be, not just for players but for franchises. If the allegations surrounding Leonard and the Clippers are substantiated, history suggests the league’s response could be severe.
