NBA penalties could strengthen Raptors’ position in Kawhi Leonard trade
Reported sanctions against the Los Angeles Clippers may improve Toronto’s leverage after the Raptors paused a proposed deal for Kawhi Leonard.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly been ordered to forfeit five first-round picks, pay a US$30 million fine and undergo league monitoring following the NBA’s investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard and corporate sponsors.
The reported findings could alter the balance of a proposed trade sending Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. Toronto reportedly placed the deal on hold while awaiting the outcome of the investigation, with the penalties now potentially improving the Raptors’ position.
The allegations centred on a reported four-year, US$28 million agreement between Leonard’s LLC, KL2 Aspire, and environmental company Aspiration. The arrangement reportedly included US$20 million in equity. Other Clippers sponsors named in the allegations included Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance.
The proposed move had already carried significant sporting risks for Toronto. The Raptors would reportedly give up a younger player with upside and their leading scorer from the previous season in exchange for Leonard, a veteran in his mid-thirties whose injury history has affected his availability.
The available source material does not specify which draft picks would be forfeited or whether the trade was ultimately completed, revised or cancelled. It also provides no complete account of the NBA’s findings or the rationale for the reported penalties.
