As the Clippers face historic sanctions for salary cap circumvention, the Miami Heat celebrates a narrow escape from the crippling financial fallout and injury woes defining Kawhi Leonard’s tenure.
MIAMI, Fla. – In recent history, the Miami Heat were mentioned in trade rumors, linked to two-time NBA Champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year forward Kawhi Leonard; perhaps it was for the best that both sides never saw eye to eye.
The 35-year-old was reportedly fined $70,000 after an NBA investigation found the Los Angeles Clippers guilty of salary cap circumvention. As a result, the organization was stripped of five future first-round picks, team owner Steve Ballmer was fined $30 million and suspended from all league activities for a year. He will not be allowed to enter the Intuit Dome.
Alongside him, both Clippers President of Basketball Operations Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank are suspended without pay (Zucker for one year and Frank for six months).
Leonard’s circumvention activities date back to the summer of 2019. He was a free agent after leading the Toronto Raptors to a championship and receiving Finals MVP honors. Leonard’s uncle and at-the-time business representative, Dennis Robertson, allegedly made several famous and impermissible demands, including:
- Part ownership of the team
- Private plane
- Guaranteed off-court endorsements
The Heat haven’t been treated too kindly in NBA investigations. Terry Rozier’s gambling scandal is a prime example. The league asked him about suspicious bets placed when he was a member of the Charlotte Hornets, found no wrongdoing, and the Heat weren’t aware before making the trade, which involved a first-round pick.
Rozier is currently facing four federal charges:
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
- Bribery in sporting contests
- Honest services wire fraud conspiracy
If the Heat actually acquired Kawhi Leonard in a trade, it would be virtually impossible to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson, and likely Andrew Wiggins would’ve been part of the package. It would be a major setback for any foreseeable championship pursuit. The Heat would have a challenge in landing prolific free agents.
Leonard’s seven-year tenure with the Clippers has been underwhelming, to say the least. Excluding the 2019-20 season, he’s appeared in over 60 games twice. Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season with an ACL injury.
The Clippers have only been as far as the Western Conference Finals. Leonard has cost the organization more money and caused more damage than he has provided in return. The 35-year-old appeared set on reuniting with the Raptors through a trade, which was reportedly agreed upon in late June.
However, it’s unclear what the future holds for Leonard, but the Heat stay clean from all of it.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
