Sam Amick of The Athletic previously reported that Leonard had a staggering list of demands for the Lakers. Behind his uncle and infamous business manager, Dennis Robertson, Leonard wanted the franchise to meet lofty conditions before he would consider signing with the purple and gold:

• Part ownership of the team
• A private plane that would be available at all times
• A house
• A guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money

Robertson repeatedly demanded all these from Jeanie Buss, but the Lakers governor ultimately dismissed them due to obvious illegality under the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Kawhi’s suspicious decision

What was once puzzling now makes sense regarding why he ended up choosing that destination. In the end, Leonard joined the Clippers on a three-year, $103.1 million contract. At that time, no one knew that both sides had a handshake agreement that would create headlines across the NBA six years later.

New revelation in the investigation

After fully exposing Leonard and the Clippers’ ties to Aspiration through a dummy $28 million endorsement contract, investigative journalist Pablo Torre recently revealed another crucial detail, adding a new dimension to the case surrounding the star forward.

According to Torre, Leonard apparently has another hidden channel to receive off-the-books money from the Clippers. Daktronics, the manufacturer of Los Angeles’ scoreboard, has a secret multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with Leonard.

The Clippers commissioned Daktronics for $100 million for the construction of the famous “Halo Board” at Intuit Dome, raising questions about how much Leonard earned through this secret deal with the electronics company.

Michael Grange of Sportsnet recently shared what he thinks the most likely outcome of the trade will be. “A negotiated settlement where the NBA gets to enforce some version of its rules, Ballmer can save face and Leonard can play for the Raptors,” Grange wrote.

“Whether Torre’s latest finding is new information to the NBA’s investigation or not, a report in The Athletic last month said a second no-show endorsement deal was already part of the investigation, the sense is that it won’t affect the next stage of the process, namely figuring out what the league is going to do with the information it has collected.”

What remains on pause

The trade that sent Leonard to the Raptors and Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to the Clippers is still on pause, and it won’t be completed until the investigation is possibly over. There is still a chance for things to be cleared up before training camp, which will be good for the players so they can be with their new teams.

The league is working quietly to get things resolved quickly, and according to Grange, things have moved beyond the fact-finding stage. All of this comes without even an estimated timeline for when it might reach a conclusion.

What is new in the investigation?

Things continue to be extremely complicated for Kawhi Leonard. First, Leonard was under investigation for his Aspiration sponsorship. Now, he is under suspicion for a second sponsorship.

According to Pablo Torre of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Leonard was involved in a sponsorship with the LA-based crisis firm Daktronics’ Ballmer. An NBA insider told Torre that it was a case of history repeating itself. In other words, Leonard and company were trying to defy the rules of the NBA salary cap.

According to Torre’s sources, Leonard had a hidden multimillion-dollar “sponsorship” with Daktronics. This once again raises alarms about Leonard and the Clippers, as it suggests they may have added even more money on top of his contract and the alleged Aspiration deal.

“This Kawhi deal was not only discussed by higher-ups with the Clippers to circumvent the salary cap… This second source was also told that Kawhi’s sponsorship with Daktronics was a multimillion-dollar deal,” Torre revealed on his show, Pablo Torre Finds Out.

Raptors trade still on standby

The issue surrounding Leonard stems from a curious scenario. The Clippers made an innovative shift within the franchise when construction began on Intuit Dome, their new arena. The team began using the venue in August 2024, and it has been a huge success for both the organization and the fans attending in person.

One of its biggest attractions is the massive circular screen appropriately known as the Halo Board. It is a gigantic, halo-shaped, double-sided 4K video board built by Daktronics. That company proves key because it is involved in this new controversy brought to light by Torre.

Now that Torre has brought this to light, it presents another massive problem for Leonard, the Clippers, and even the Raptors. For Toronto, the direct consequence would be failing to acquire the player they are targeting. However, the situation is far more serious for Leonard and the Clippers, as this marks their second instance of salary cap circumvention and could result in harsh penalties from the NBA if Torre’s reporting proves accurate.

Why is this a problem?

NBA rules aim to prevent teams from using alternative funding sources to provide financial advantages to their players and circumvent restrictions set by the collective bargaining agreement.

During an appearance on streamer N3ON’s stream, Dillon Brooks offered just three definitive words. During the conversation, N3ON said, “Raptors did get Kawhi.” Brooks immediately replied, “It’s not happening.”

Brooks’ comment does not provide official information regarding the trade discussions. However, it came as Toronto continues to evaluate whether to move forward while the NBA’s investigation remains open.

Why has the trade not happened?

The Toronto Raptors made a big splash this summer with the addition of Kawhi Leonard. After finishing fifth last season (46-36), the franchise is hoping that Leonard will lead it to prosperity in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.

But now, amid the NBA’s cap-circumvention investigation, there are doubts that the trade will even go through. Leonard, 35, was a Clipper for six years leading up to this summer.

The scandal involves a potential back-door agreement between Leonard and the Clippers to use a fraudulent tree-planting company as a front to skirt the salary cap. It was discovered that Kawhi had a $28 million no-show endorsement deal with the company, which was eventually (and indirectly) traced to team owner Steve Ballmer himself.

The risk the Raptors do not want to take

If the Raptors trade for Kawhi now, the team would be assuming all the risks that come with it, including the possibility that Leonard’s contract is voided, which would be a nightmare given what it gave up to get him. Given that fact, it makes sense for the Raptors to be hesitant about taking on Kawhi, but canceling the trade outright would be the worst possible outcome for everyone.

Kawhi’s performance

While he ultimately failed to lead the franchise to an NBA title, his impact on the floor is obvious, with averages of 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 50.5% shooting from the field last season. At his best, Kawhi is an elite two-way wing player who brings championship experience and powerful versatility to any lineup.

According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, the outside law firm hired by the NBA appears to have finished its work. The league must now review the findings and determine whether Leonard, the Clippers, or owner Steve Ballmer should face discipline. “The investigation, I think, is over now,” Vorkunov said. “The NBA is kind of like sifting through what the law firm they hired has found, deciding whether there’s a punishment or not that they then want to levy.”

The probe centers on allegations that Leonard‘s endorsement agreement with Aspiration—a now-bankrupt company financially connected to Ballmer—may have been used to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. Leonard reportedly agreed to a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal that also included company equity, though he did not participate in traditional promotional campaigns for the company.

Wait continues for Leonard trade

The Clippers have denied any wrongdoing and maintain that the team was the victim of fraud related to Aspiration, rather than participating in an attempt to offer Leonard additional compensation.

Although the investigation phase appears to have concluded, the process could remain unresolved for some time. Vorkunov explained that any proposed penalty might have to be presented to an arbitrator in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. The National Basketball Players Association would also intervene if the league decides to sanction Leonard, and either party could appeal the decision.

This uncertainty continues to delay the proposed trade that would send Leonard to Toronto in a package including Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and future draft pick compensation. Vorkunov still expects the deal to materialize unless the NBA imposes the most severe penalty possible and voids Leonard’s contract.

For now, Leonard, Ingram, and Dick remain attached to their previous teams despite the trade agreement. With no firm timetable for a decision, the uncertainty could extend toward training camp. Leonard is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 27.9 points while remaining one of the NBA‘s most effective two-way players when available.

According to The Athletic, the third-party investigation into the controversy has officially ended. However, that does not mean the waiting period is over. The facts of the case have all been delivered, according to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov.

Now that the investigation has officially concluded, the league will review what has been discovered. The only step remaining is waiting for the league to render its final decision.

The trade remains incomplete

Even with the investigation finalized, pending matters remain, meaning Leonard’s transaction is not yet complete. The deal sending Leonard to Toronto for Ingram and Dick remains stalled. Adam Silver and the NBA will have to decide whether the findings warrant penalties. If penalties are issued, the case will go to trial per the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Currently, there is no timeline for when this matter will be resolved. Leonard, Ingram, and Dick may very well still be on the rosters of the teams they were traded from when training camp officially opens in October.

This would create an awkward situation in which the players involved in the trade would be unable to report to their prospective new teams—a scenario that could impact team chemistry if they are eventually cleared to proceed with the transaction.

Why the NBA is investigating Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers

The league maintains strict rules governing contract distribution, including a cap on how much a team can spend on its roster. This specific rule is the one the Clippers are accused of violating with Leonard.

In 2022, the Clippers’ star forward signed a four-year endorsement deal worth $28 million with a company called Aspiration, which also included $20 million in company equity.

Due to the circumstances surrounding his contract with the firm, the endorsement deal is being viewed as a potential case of salary cap circumvention. The allegation contends that the Clippers used the deal to pay Leonard more than his NBA contract specified, allowing the organization to funnel additional money to him without it counting against the league’s salary cap.

According to Jake Weinbach, the Warriors will likely shop the No. 11 overall pick in trade talks for an immediate impact player that can help maximize the remaining years of the Steph Curry era. The Bay Area side remains in win-now mode after signing Steve Kerr to a new two-year deal.

And something else that was also mentioned is that Kawhi Leonard, Trey Murphy III, and Michael Porter Jr. would be notable names for Golden State to monitor on the trade market. The Warriors would most likely attach first-round draft compensation to Jimmy Butler’s $56.8M expiring salary in any blockbuster deal.

Butler as the main tool to get something done

The Warriors could gauge Butler’s trade market this offseason as they evaluate the roster’s direction. Butler is recovering from a torn right ACL suffered in January. He underwent surgery in February and is expected to miss nine to 12 months, placing a potential return in the late 2026 NBA season.

He is 36 and under contract through 2026-27 after signing a two-year extension following his arrival from the Miami Heat. He is owed $54.1 million next season and $56.8 million the year after.

The Warriors still count on the old guard

It is still too early to say that Curry and Green will remain with the Warriors, but it is almost a fact that they will, and now with Steve Kerr agreeing to a two-year deal, signaling the organization still intends to compete rather than reset.

The Warriors will go against desperation and against all odds. After coming off a season where injuries badly affected them, they will aim for consistency and health for a better postseason.

According to league insider Tim Kawakami, a deal had been in place to send Leonard to the Warriors before it collapsed at the last moment. “Multiple league sources indicated this week that the Warriors were reasonably close to trading for Kawhi Leonard last February, apparently with much of the deal terms generally agreed to, before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks,” Kawakami reported.

“Leonard’s name continued to be connected to possible Warriors moves, either in ongoing trade discussions or, as many around the league speculated, if his remaining contract with the Clippers was voided after the investigation into salary cap circumvention.”

Is Kawhi worth it?

There was once again a debate surrounding the Warriors. There was no doubt that Leonard was an elite player, one of the best in the NBA when healthy. However, he was approaching 35-years-old, and the Warriors also needed to consider building toward a younger core while maximizing their remaining window with Curry.

At 34 years old, he fit their timeline in the short term, and his two-way game complemented Curry, who was known as an offensive first perimeter shooter. While his availability had been inconsistent, his production remained strong, averaging 28.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per NBA game on 50.3 percent shooting from the field and 38.0 percent from three.

The final push with Curry

The Warriors remained committed to this approach because Curry continued to perform at a high level despite his injury, and his impact remained undeniable. In 39 games that season, the two-time MVP averaged 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 46.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent from three.

While he had missed the previous 25 games, he was expected to return healthy the following season, increasing pressure on the front office to build a competitive roster. With Butler still recovering from an ACL injury, the Warriors could not afford to wait, and their limited window to contend made finding a reliable co-star essential.

The star forward is currently featured on the official NBA injury report as questionable due to a left ankle sprain, leaving his status in doubt for the showdown against his former team. Joining Leonard on the report are Jordan Milles, who is also questionable, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser and Bradley Beal have both been ruled out for the contest.

Leonard entered the Clippers’ previous game against the Bucks with the same designation but ultimately played and delivered a dominant performance. The former Spurs standout led Los Angeles to a commanding 129-96 victory over Milwaukee, recording a game-high 28 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

Is there a chance for Leonard to play tonight?

Given his questionable status, there is a legitimate possibility that Leonard could sit out tonight’s matchup against the Raptors. His left ankle injury has become a recurring issue, landing him on the injury report frequently over the last several weeks.

Clippers want to avoid Play-In Tournament

The Clippers‘ path to avoiding the Play-In Tournament is becoming a narrow one, and having Kawhi Leonard on the floor is essential to their survival. As the undisputed leader of the team, Leonard has been productive through 56 games this season, averaging a team-high 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

However, the team finds itself in a delicated situation. Entering tonight’s matchup against Toronto, the Clippers sit in 8th place at .500, needing a strong finish in their final ten games to secure a guaranteed playoff spot.

The climb is made more difficult by the teams directly ahead of them. The Phoenix Suns hold the 7th seed at 40-32, while the Houston Rockets occupy the coveted 6th seed at 43-28. For the Clippers to move up, they don’t just need to maintain a near-perfect record down the stretch; they also need those teams to stumble significantly in their final games.

Leonard is available to play in tonight’s match, putting the Clippers’ star forward in focus as the team looks to end a four-game losing streak and remain in the Play-In race. The Clippers enter the matchup at 34 36, ninth in the Western Conference, trying to regain momentum, while Dallas comes in at 23 47, 13th in the West, looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

The Clippers’ injury report makes Leonard’s status especially important. Injuries have ruled out Bradley Beal, while Bennedict Mathurin and Yanick Konan Niederhauser remain sidelined. Los Angeles cannot afford to lose another key piece as they fight to stay in the NBA Play-In picture.

The importance of Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers enter the matchup at 34-36, ninth in the Western Conference, trying to regain momentum, while Dallas comes in at 23-47, 13th in the West, looking to snap a two-game losing streak. They turned their season around earlier in the month, climbing the standings and moving above .500. They now find themselves on a four-game losing streak, with Kawhi Leonard missing two of the last three games due to an ankle injury.

Kawhi Leonard has remained elite this season. Through 54 games, he is averaging 28.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, while shooting 50.4 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three, and 89.8 percent from the free throw line.

In the last game he played, despite being visibly uncomfortable, Leonard led Los Angeles against the New Orleans Pelicans, and even though he finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and two steals in 29 minutes, the Clippers suffered their third consecutive loss.

Mavericks are not in optimal form

For the Clippers, there is also some positive news, as Dallas is not arriving in the best condition. The Mavericks are dealing with key absences; Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are out, along with Brandon Williams, but they still have Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson, who can make an impact.

Leonard was ruled out of Monday night’s game against the Spurs, which marked his 15th missed game of the season. That means Leonard can miss only two more games before he becomes ineligible for end of season NBA awards.

As it stands, Kawhi Leonard appears poised to finish on an All-NBA Team and also on an All-Defensive Team. Missing two more games, however, would place him on the list of stars who are already ineligible to make those teams.

What happened to Kawhi?

Leonard has missed 14 games this season, 10 of them in November due to a right ankle sprain. Named an NBA All Star for the seventh time in his career, Leonard is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in 53 appearances this season.

Last week, Kawhi Leonard explained what allowed him to produce one of the best seasons of his 14-year NBA career. “The man above, and me just being able to play games,” the Clippers star told ClutchPoints. “I had a good offseason, I was able to just work. Just praising him, work ethic, and believing. Just trying to get better in the game. Not worrying about the outcome. Whether it’s working on my shot, handle, or passing, just being aggressive and making mistakes.”

Others who are not eligible

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry are among the players who are not eligible to win end of NBA season awards, while several others are close to reaching that limit.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets cannot miss any more games, or he will also become ineligible. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers can each miss only five more games before losing eligibility as well. Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs has played in 52 of the Spurs’ 67 games so far, leaving him with just two games remaining before reaching the limit.