sports

NBA Blasts ESPN for ‘Inaccuracies’ in Report on Kawhi Leonard-Clippers Investigation

NBA is looking into claims of salary cap circumvention

NBA Blasts ESPN for ‘Inaccuracies’ in Report on Kawhi Leonard-Clippers Investigation

TL;DR

  • The NBA disputes an ESPN report on its investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard for alleged salary cap circumvention.
  • ESPN reported the NBA could not find proof of owner Steve Ballmer funneling money to Leonard via sponsorships.
  • The NBA stated the ESPN report contains numerous and significant inaccuracies and that the investigation is ongoing.
  • The investigation reportedly looks into whether introducing Leonard to team sponsors violates rules and if the Clippers committed a 'failure to supervise'.
  • The Clippers claim introducing players to team partners is common practice and that they did not dictate endorsement deal terms.
  • Deals for Kawhi Leonard with both the Clippers and the Toronto Raptors are on hold pending the investigation's outcome.