NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was reportedly paid $28 million by a company funded by team owner Steve Ballmer that helped the Clippers evade the NBA salary cap, according to a report by Pablo Torre in 2025.
Nearly a full year after the NBA launched a formal investigation into the matter, the it issued its findings Wednesday, docking the Clippers five first-round picks, fining Clippers owner Steve Ballmer $30 million and fining Leonard $700,000, among other penalties.
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On his show, “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” Torre detailed a now-bankrupt company named Aspiration, which paid $28 million to KL2 Aspire LLC, a company owned by Leonard. Clauses in the contract between Aspiration and Leonard’s company indicated Leonard wouldn’t have to do anything other than be a member of the Clippers to receive that money. One employee spoke with Torre, saying they were told Leonard’s contract was a way to “circumvent the salary cap.”
One key figure referenced several times during Torre’s investigation — and in the NBA’s ruling Wednesday — was Dennis Robertson, otherwise known as Uncle Dennis. Robertson, who was also subject to an NBA investigation in 2019, reportedly also played a role in the Aspiration scandal.
Who is Uncle Dennis, and what happened with his previous investigation? And how did the NBA come down on Uncle Dennis on Wednesday? Here’s what you need to know about Robertson and his relationship with Leonard.
Who is Uncle Dennis?
Uncle Dennis is Dennis Robertson. Some publications have referred to Robertson as Leonard’s adviser. Robertson is also Leonard’s actual uncle.
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What is Uncle Dennis’ role in the Aspiration scandal?
Robertson’s name was listed on a contract between Aspiration and KL2 Aspire LLC. The specific sentence pertaining to Robertson specified that all “communication required or permitted under this Agreement” be sent to Robertson. In addition to that, Robertson was listed in the contract as Leonard’s “designated representative.”
The former Aspiration employee who spoke with Torre mentioned that a top priority at Aspiration was making sure Leonard’s contract got paid, and…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/who-is-uncle-dennis-what-to-know-about-kawhi-leonards-adviser-dennis-robertson-and-his-role-in-nbas-investigation-152859200.html
Author : Chris Cwik
Publish date : 2026-09-03 15:28:00
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