The NBA has reportedly found no evidence that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard, according to an ESPN report published Monday. This development comes as the team looks to move past a difficult 2025-26 season where they missed the playoffs, finishing 42-40 and ninth in the West. Their last official game was a 120-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets on May 3, 2025.
What did the NBA investigation find?
After nearly a year of looking into the Clippers, investigators found no proof connecting Ballmer to efforts to compensate Leonard outside the salary cap. The probe centered on Leonard's four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt green banking company that was once a team sponsor. Investigators examined internal emails, texts, and financial records from Aspiration and at least three other companies, including Daktronics and Boingo Wireless.
Despite the extensive review, sources told ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes, and Ramona Shelburne the league could not link Ballmer to any scheme. The Clippers have consistently stated that connecting players with business partners is standard NBA practice and that Leonard's representatives handled all endorsement talks independently. Ballmer has denied any wrongdoing and said he would take the case to arbitration if found guilty of intentional cap circumvention.
How did the NBA respond to the report?
The league pushed back hard and fast. NBA spokesman Mike Bass posted a statement on X shortly after the ESPN article went live. "ESPN's article regarding the LA Clippers investigation, for which the NBA declined to cooperate, contains numerous and significant inaccuracies," Bass wrote. He added that results would be clear once the investigation concludes but did not specify which parts were wrong.
This confirms the case remains open. The league's focus has reportedly shifted to two narrower issues: whether the Clippers broke rules by introducing Leonard to sponsors initially, and if the team failed to properly supervise its employees. Commissioner Adam Silver said in July he hopes to wrap things up before the 2026-27 season tips off, though arbitration could delay that timeline. You can follow the team's ongoing roster situation on our [squad](/squad) page.
What does this mean for Kawhi Leonard's future?
The investigation's outcome directly affects a trade that would send Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. Agreed to on June 30, the deal has been in limbo while Toronto weighs risks tied to the probe. Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game for the Clippers in 2025-26, earning an All-Star selection and Second Team All-NBA honors.
But his season was limited to 65 games, and with James Harden playing just 44 while averaging 25.4 points and 8.1 assists, the Clippers' campaign fell short. Their recent form over the last five games was two wins and three losses (LLWWL), and they lost their final two contests. Until the league releases official findings, the Clippers, Raptors, and Leonard are stuck waiting without clear answers, casting a shadow over the upcoming season's [standings](/standings) race.
