Kawhi Leonard investigation timeline: Why NBA is looking into Clippers, Steve Ballmer over potential salary-cap violations

In an NBA offseason dominated by LeBron James and unrelated Lakers drama, Kawhi Leonard received a surprising amount of attention. With Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers and team owner Steve Ballmer still the subject of a league investigation, a sudden June trade of Leonard to the Toronto Raptors brought that situation back to the forefront.

Was the NBA’s investigation still active? And would the league step in, with Leonard now on his way to a different team?

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Those questions were both answered with a resounding “yes.” The trade was officially put on hold after both teams confirmed the NBA was still looking into the situation.

Given that it’s been nearly a year since the NBA launched its current investigation, it’s worth remembering why Ballmer, Leonard and the Clippers are under investigation in the first place.

Below is a full timeline of the events leading up to the NBA’s investigation and every significant development since the league announced it would look into Leonard’s original agreement with the Clippers.

July 6, 2019: Kawhi Leonard signs with the Clippers

Fresh off a championship run with the Raptors, Leonard — a free agent — decided to leave Toronto to sign with the Clippers. He originally joined the team on a three-year, $103 million deal. That same offseason, the Clippers traded for Paul George. That influx of talent was supposed to make the Clippers a premier contender in the Western Conference.

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Dec. 23, 2019: Reports suggest NBA investigated Clippers over Leonard signing

A few months after Leonard signed, a report from The Athletic detailed the superstar’s free agency, which resulted in an NBA investigation. According to that report, one member of Leonard’s camp — Dennis Robertson — reportedly asked teams for impermissible benefits if they wanted to sign Leonard. Robertson is also known as “Uncle Dennis,” and is Leonard’s actual uncle.

This was the key portion of The Athletic’s report:

Sources say the league was told that Robertson asked team officials for part ownership of the team, a private plane that would be available at all times, a house and — last but certainly…

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Author : Chris Cwik

Publish date : 2026-08-19 19:02:00

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