Kawhi Leonard Dodges Clippers Investigation Questions But Social Media Refuses To Let It Go

Stoic and silent is usually how we see Kawhi Leonard, but he was all smiles and yapping at the Toronto Raptors’ media day.

After all, he had a lot to talk about now that he’s rejoining the lone Canadian NBA team fresh off a scandal-ridden exit from his hometown Los Angeles Clippers.

But in a rare verbose moment, he knew he’d get asked about it, but politely shut it down. 

“I’m excited to be here. I know why some of you guys came,” Leonard said. “You want to hear about the investigation, but you know, talking with the NBA and the [NBPA], I think the best decision is to move forward and focus on my time being a Toronto Raptor.”

The investigation in question goes back to his Clippers days when he signed a contract in July 2019 worth $103.1 million. It turns out the Clippers circumvented the salary cap rules by offering him a no-show sponsorship deal with Aspiration.

At a value of $28 million, Leonard signed an endorsement with the company, but former ESPN journalist-turned-podcaster Pablo Torre learned there was no public-facing evidence that he promoted the brand at all.

Public outcry grew, and the NBA launched an investigation that found the Clippers guilty of skirting league rules.

Team owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year, and the team lost its 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 first-rounders and was fined $30 million.

Leonard got off pretty easy because he still got to keep the endorsement money and was only fined $700,000. 

It held up Leonard’s Toronto trade up until recently and locked in his two-year, $115 million contract extension for a while, so he’s ready to focus on the court.  

“I already was a distraction for the past 70 days and wasn’t able to meet with my teammates, do any of that minicamp stuff with them,” Leonard said Monday. “So, moving forward, I just want to talk about the Toronto Raptors today.”

His move back up north will hopefully come with a more competitive team. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged his career-high 27 points and played in 65 games, but the team finished 9th.

“We weren’t too competitive last year, but… I need pressure. I need a winning situation. I want to win,” Leonard said. “That’s what I learned from a basketball aspect. I like to be in a winning environment, and I feel like [the Raptors] give me that.”