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.

According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks have joined a growing list of teams exploring a potential sign-and-trade for Mathurin. “While the Los Angeles Clippers remain interested in re-signing restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks have expressed sign-and-trade interest in the 24-year-old swingman, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto reported. “With that said, there’s work to be done by each team if they’re going to add Mathurin.”

Mathurin’s restricted free agency has become one of the more closely watched situations of the offseason as the Clippers remain unable to finalize additional major roster moves while the league reviews the circumstances surrounding Leonard’s expected trade to the Toronto Raptors. The investigation, which was recently reported could extend into 2027, has left Los Angeles in a holding pattern.

The Wizards as interested suitors

Scotto noted that New Orleans remains a viable contender after attempting to acquire Mathurin via trade before last season’s deadline, when he was still playing for the Indiana Pacers. The Pelicans possess the $15.04 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, allowing them to avoid the luxury tax while sitting $8.22 million below that threshold.

Scotto reported that the organization has explored trading Jordan Hawkins, including discussions with the Memphis Grizzlies involving AJ Johnson, in order to generate greater flexibility. Chicago also remains in the mix after pursuing Mathurin before last season’s trade deadline. Scotto reported the Bulls’ new front office and coaching staff remain high on the former lottery pick, although a sign-and-trade appears to be the club’s only realistic path given its available cap mechanisms.

Stiff competition for the Clippers

The Bucks have also been in contact with Mathurin as they continue restructuring their roster. Milwaukee possesses the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception and still holds a $25.46 million trade exception generated in the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. However, the Bucks also face roster spot constraints and must trim the squad from 17 players down to the 15-player regular-season limit.

Dallas presents another intriguing possibility. Scotto reported that any serious pursuit would likely require the Mavericks to move or buy out Klay Thompson, who is entering the final season of his $17.46 million contract. Without Thompson, Max Christie would become Dallas’ only traditional shooting guard currently under contract.

Despite the growing list of interested teams, the Clippers continue to prioritize bringing Mathurin back. The 24-year-old is coming off a career-best NBA season in which he averaged 17.6 points per game and remains viewed as an important piece of Los Angeles’ long-term plans.

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.

Indiana traded for Los Angeles‘ Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown on February. In return, the Pacers sent Bennedict Mathurin, center Isaiah Jackson, a conditional 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick.

The terms on the conditional first-round pick in 2026 meant that if the pick landed outside the top four, the pick would become Clippers’ property. That has now been confirmed, and LA will have a top five selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.

Clippers lose some, win some

Los Angeles avoided a worst-case scenario in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. The Clippers’ original first-round pick had been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the blockbuster Paul George deal back in 2019. Now, every detail of that trade has finally been settled.

The Thunder—who are just one win away from reaching the Western Conference Finals—will own the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft via Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Clippers avoided disaster when the Pacers—who were tied for the best odds to land the No. 1 pick—fell outside the top four.

As a result, Los Angeles will indeed make a first-round selection in 2026, and it will be a very high one. That’s the beauty—and the ugliness, as fans in Indy will tell you—of the NBA Draft Lottery.

Top 5 picks in 2026

The Washington Wizards have become the first team with the league’s worst record to win the NBA Draft Lottery since the current format was implemented in 2019. As a result, the organization in Washington, D.C., will select first overall in 2026.

The Utah Jazz own the No. 2 pick, while the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls will select third and fourth, respectively. So close, yet so far. The Pacers watched their 19-63 record in the 2025–26 NBA season amount to nothing.

• 1st overall pick: Washington Wizards
• 2nd overall pick: Utah Jazz
• 3rd overall pick: Memphis Grizzlies
• 4th overall pick: Chicago Bulls
• 5th overall pick: Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana Pacers)

With the Play-In format leaving no safety net, this game goes beyond a simple result. Both sides know that what happens on the court will shape their immediate future, turning every possession into a potential turning point.

Steve Kerr‘s team arrives as the No. 10 seed after a 37–45 season, battling injuries but still led by Stephen Curry’s scoring threat. Meanwhile, the Clippers finished 42–40 and hold the No. 9 spot, with Kawhi Leonard anchoring both ends of the floor.

What happens if Warriors beat Clippers today?

If the Golden State Warriors defeat the Clippers, they would advance to face the Phoenix Suns in the final stage of the NBA Play-In Tournament, with the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference on the line.

A win in this 9 vs. 10 matchup keeps Golden State’s season alive and sends them into one more elimination game with the No. 8 seed on the line. That means they would still need a second victory to officially qualify for the playoffs.

This is the toughest route in the NBA Play-In Tournament, as the Warriors would have to win twice in a row under pressure. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers would be eliminated immediately with no second chance.

What happens if Warriors and Clippers tie today?

Warriors vs. Clippers cannot end in a tie—an overtime period will decide a winner. In the NBA, especially in postseason formats like the Play-In, games must produce a winner, with overtime played until one team comes out on top.

That means even if the game is tied at the end of regulation, the outcome will still fall into either a win-or-lose scenario, making every late-game possession critical inside the high-pressure setting of the Intuit Dome.

What happens if Warriors lose to Clippers today?

The Golden State Warriors would be eliminated from the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament. A loss in this matchup ends their season immediately, as only the winner advances from the 9 vs. 10 game.

For the Clippers, a victory would keep their playoff hopes alive and send them into the final Play-In game, where they would have one more chance to secure the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

This sudden-death format is what makes the Play-In so volatile: one bad night can erase an entire season, while one win can keep the door to the playoffs wide open.

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.

Leonard is out tonight due to injury, as the Clippers announced that he is dealing with left ankle soreness. Leonard most recently played on Feb. 22 against the Orlando Magic, which was the last game the Clippers played, logging 33 minutes while recording 37 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Leonard was unable to shed his questionable tag for this contest and remains day to day. The Clippers begin a back-to-back set Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans, making roster management a key factor, while Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Miller are expected to see expanded roles Thursday.

Leonard’s numbers this season

Without any doubt, Leonard has been the Clippers’ top performer this season, consistently proving that when he stays healthy, he remains one of the league’s elite players, delivering performances reminiscent of his prime years.

For the NBA season, Leonard is averaging 28.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 38.1% from three-point range and 90.5% from the free-throw line, numbers that reflect his continued impact and competitive drive.

How the Timberwolves arrive

Anthony Edwards has been on an outstanding run since winning the All-Star Game MVP, averaging 34 points across his last three contests, including a 34-point performance in Tuesday’s 124 to 121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, as the Clippers look to counter with their own star presence.

The Timberwolves enter the matchup with the NBA’s third-ranked scoring offense at 119.6 points per game, led by Edwards at 29.6 points per contest. On Feb. 8, a healthy Leonard powered the Clippers to a 115-96 victory over the Timberwolves with a dominant 41-point performance.