ESPN: Leonard reportedly close to officially joining the Raptors

An NBA investigation into possible salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers has failed to turn up sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, ESPN reports, citing sources close to the situation. As a result, the player is likely to officially join the Toronto Raptors soon.

Background of the case

Last year, a complaint was filed against Leonard and the Clippers alleging the team circumvented the salary cap through its former sponsorship partner, Aspiration. It was reported that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested more than $50 million in Aspiration, while the company signed a $25 million endorsement deal with Leonard in 2022. Although the contract formally made Leonard a company representative, it did not require him to perform any actual promotional activities — in other words, he was paid for doing essentially nothing.

Findings of the investigation

Investigators were unable to prove that Ballmer used Aspiration to funnel additional money to Leonard. However, the probe is still examining the Clippers' role in introducing Leonard to Aspiration representatives, which is being characterized as inadequate oversight of the team's staff. A Clippers representative confirmed in a letter to ESPN that the club connected the two parties but was not involved in negotiating the endorsement contract itself, adding that a player having a deal with a company that also partners with the team does not by itself indicate salary cap circumvention.

Status of the trade

This summer, the Clippers traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and future draft picks. However, the NBA warned the Raptors' front office that the club would have to bear any consequences arising from the Leonard investigation, which led to the trade being put on hold.

Representatives for both Leonard and the Raptors now expect the deal to soon be finalized, allowing the player to return to the team he led to an NBA championship in 2019. Still, there remains a possibility the case could go to sports arbitration, which could delay the transfer. The new NBA season is set to begin on October 20.