The NBA has closed its investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention.
More than a year after the NBA announced an investigation into Kawhi Leonard, we're finally at the end of the saga.
Last year, Pablo Torre uncovered evidence that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money into Aspiration, an environmental nonprofit. Aspiration then used that money to sign Kawhi Leonard to a lucrative endorsement deal.
Since Leonard never actually delivered any service for Aspiration, the whole thing was fishy. Ballmer and the Clippers were accused of using the deal to circumvent the salary cap, paying Leonard more than they were allowed to.
On Wednesday, the NBA's investgation fionally ended.
Spurs Vindicated in Kawhi Ruling
Ballmer has been fined $30 million, Kawhi will have to pay back $700,000, and the Clippers have been stripped of five future first-round picks, effectively sending them to NBA purgatory for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps the biggest piece of news, though, is that "Uncle" Dennis Robertson has been banned from the NBA and all business dealings with the league and its associates.
"Uncle Dennis" was front and center in this scandal, apparently talking the Clippers into making the deal with Aspiration. Apparently, Robertson demanded extra bonuses in Leonard's 2019 free agency from the Raptors, Lakers, and Clippers.
Only the Clippers were willing to play ball.
So how do the Spurs figure into all this?
Well, Robertson was the alleged architect of Leonard demanding a trade in 2018. He was in Kawhi's ear all along, telling team doctors that they had it wrong and that Leonard would never find success in San Antonio. The way fans see it, Dennis Robertson ended the Spurs' dynasty.
That might be a bit far-fetched, but the animosity has remained. Now, he's officially been shunned by the NBA.
The punishment, it seems, clears a path for the Clippers and Raptors to finish the trade they agreed to months ago, sending Leonard back to Toronto. Five first-round picks is the biggest punishment in NBA history, but Ballmer is the wealthiest owner in the NBA, so fining him (even $30 million) is a slap on the wrist.
Making his team uncompetetive for the long-term future, though, is a real punishment.
