The NBA could be in for a fight with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
The ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard as to whether or not the Clippers and Leonard willfully attempted to circumvent the salary cap through a sponsorship deal with the now-defunct Aspiration has dragged on for close to a year for a myriad of reasons, which in turn has created a number of headaches for the Clippers.
The biggest headache is the fact that the investigation has put a hold on the Clippers attempted trade of Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Grady Dick, several draft picks and a pick-swap, as the Raptors would have to assume any responsibility of consequences that come from the investigation and are decidedly unwilling to do so.
Why exactly the investigation is taking so long, and could possibly drag on well into next season, is partially due to the magnitude of the stakes involved in the investigation. Leonard is still one of the biggest names in the NBA today and the consequences that he could be facing, including a suspension or even a voided contract, are severe.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) runs on the court during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn ImagesWhy This Investigation Is So Serious
Similarly, the Clippers are in the second-largest media market in the country and are owned by one of the richest owners in American sports in Steve Ballmer and levying penalties on them that could include fines and the loss of draft picks is a serious undertaking for the NBA.
Part of why it's such a serious undertaking is the fact that if the investigation concludes and the league does find the Clippers guilty of some kind of wrongdoing, Ballmer likely won't give up without a fight, as ESPN's Vincent Goodwill pointed out.
LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer reacts at the end of the game against the Miami Heat at Intuit Dome. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images"Steve Ballmer can lawyer up as well as anybody," Goodwill said.
Because of the risk involved in penalizing Ballmer and the Clippers and the long legal battle that could follow a long investigation, a legal battle that could actually prove to be harmful to the league both in terms of finances and public relations, the investogation has been drawn out specifically to make sure the league has much evidence as possible.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) talks with team owner Steve Ballmer during media day at Intuit Dome. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesRetaliation From Ballmer?
Of course, the league could still expect a legal battle, or at least a challenge, from Ballmer and the Clippers even if they take as much time as possible to conduct the investigation, but being thorough in their findings at least mitigates the risk involved.
With that knowledge in mind, it makes sense as to why the investigation has taken so long, although that itself has been to the detriment of the Clippers almost as much as any ramifications worth fighting against would be.
