Clippers-Kawhi Leonard investigation details: What to know about the NBA’s historic punishment and what comes next

After completing a nearly year-long investigation into the relationship between the Los Angeles Clippers, their owner and governor Steve Ballmer, star forward Kawhi Leonard and various business partners, the NBA handed down the most damaging punishment for a team in league history.

A 35-page report from the investigatory law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz revealed a lot about the Clippers’ dealings with Leonard and also raised additional questions.

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Here are the key details about the investigation, the NBA’s punishment and what comes next for the Clippers, Ballmer and Leonard.

What did the Clippers and Leonard do to get in trouble?

A lot, apparently. In simplest terms, the NBA says its investigation (after Pablo Torre’s initial investigation) revealed evidence the Clippers circumvented the league’s salary cap to help ensure Leonard received additional compensation — like a lot of additional compensation — outside of his salary. League rules put a limit on what teams can pay players. Going beyond that, whether it’s from the franchise directly or funneled via the team through sponsors or other businesses, is one of the most serious violations of NBA governance. 

There had been reports for years that Leonard’s uncle and business adviser, Dennis Robertson, sought extra benefits and money from teams pursuing Leonard in free agency in 2019. The NBA investigated those claims and said it did not uncover evidence of any violations but would keep the case open. 

Torre then revealed a year ago that Aspiration — a now-bankrupt tree-planting service that counted Ballmer among its investors — had signed Leonard to a lucrative sponsorship deal in which he reportedly performed no work. The league’s investigators claimed that some Aspiration officials initially did not want to hire Leonard but were assured that they would be receiving the money to pay him via additional investment from the Clippers. 

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According to the NBA’s investigatory report, the Clippers also helped arrange for three other companies to negotiate sponsorship deals with Leonard in which he provided little to no actual…

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Author : Yahoo Sports Staff

Publish date : 2026-09-03 18:18:00

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