Feb 4, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
During the 2019 Free Agency, the negotiations around Kawhi Leonard were marred by requests prohibited by the NBA collective agreement, made by his uncle.
Journalist Pablo Torre recently revealed that the Los Angeles Clippers had set up parallel contracts with Leonard in order to bypass the rules of the Salary Cap. But the Clippers would not have been the only ones involved: other franchises interested in the winger, including the Lakers, would also have been faced with illegal requirements.
Six years earlier, Sam Amick (The Athletic) reported that Dennis Robertson, Kawhi’s uncle, had claimed from the Lakers a part of the property of the franchise, access to a private jet, a house and financial guarantees via advertising contracts to convince Leonard to sign.
All these points were refused by the president of Lakers, Jeanie Buss, because they violated the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) and exhibited the deductible at heavy sports and financial sanctions.
The Toronto Raptors, defending champion with Leonard in 2019, would also have received similar requests. Despite a brilliant season of the winger (26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 passes on average), leading the team to his first coronation NBA, Toronto failed to hold back his player.
Kawhi Leonard: the controversial signature to the Clippers
In the summer of 2019, Kawhi Leonard finally chose the clippers with a $ 150 million contract over three years. According to Torre, he would have touched $ 28 million in a partnership with the ASPIPIMPE company, owned by Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Clippers, in parallel.
However, Leonard has never participated in promotional actions of the company. Using a third party to pay a player beyond the official limits of the Salary Cap is strictly prohibited by the NBA.
In a press release relayed by Shams Charania (ESPN), the Clippers denied any irregularity. However, the NBA opened an investigation and could sanction the deductible by fines or even loss of draft choice if the accusations are confirmed.
Credit Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
