Los Angeles — Six seasons after the LA Clippers surrendered five first-round picks, two swaps, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari to acquire Paul George and secure free-agent forward Kawhi Leonard, the franchise is still chasing its first NBA Finals berth and now faces another league investigation tied to the star’s off-court earnings.
Latest probe targets $28 million sponsorship deal
On Sept. 3, 2025, the NBA hired the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to examine whether the Clippers violated salary-cap rules by helping arrange a $28 million endorsement for Leonard with the now-bankrupt financial-services company Aspiration. Team owner Steve Ballmer previously invested $50 million in the firm, and minority owner Dennis Wong added $1.99 million nine days before Aspiration issued a $1.75 million payment to Leonard in December 2022.
The inquiry is the third league investigation involving Leonard since his July 2019 arrival. The Clippers were fined $50,000 in November 2019 for misrepresenting the severity of Leonard’s left knee injury and docked again later for a separate violation.
On-court impact falls short of expectations
Leonard, 34, has appeared in 42 percent of LA’s games, while the club has won three playoff series and failed to advance beyond the Western Conference finals. The two-time Finals MVP missed significant postseason stretches because of right-knee issues in 2021, 2023 and 2024. He signed a three-year, $153 million extension in January 2024 and is owed $50 million for 2025-26, with an extension window opening next summer.
Roster reshaped around aging stars
After a 50-win season and a first-round exit to Denver, LA added 40-year-old point guard Chris Paul, 32-year-old guard Bradley Beal, 27-year-old forward John Collins and 37-year-old center Brook Lopez while re-signing 36-year-old guard James Harden. Ivica Zubac, 28, remains the primary center.
Legal battles extend beyond the league office
Since 2019, two civil suits have accused the team of tampering during its pursuit of Leonard. A 2020 case filed by Johnny Wilkes was dismissed, but a separate action by former strength coach Randy Shelton, lodged Oct. 10, 2024, is ongoing. Shelton claims wrongful termination and alleges the club concealed Leonard’s injuries, including undisclosed torn ankle ligaments in 2022, and that Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, demanded a 10 percent cut of Shelton’s salary.
The Clippers deny those allegations and moved to compel arbitration, calling the suit an extortion attempt. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank gave a deposition on Sept. 16, 2025.
Culture shaped by secrecy and fear
Team and league sources describe an organization quick to accommodate Leonard’s requests — from helicopter commutes out of San Diego to reduced media obligations — after Robertson reportedly sought ownership shares, a private jet and guaranteed endorsement income during 2019 free-agency talks. Internal staffers say information about Leonard’s medical status is tightly guarded, with limited access even for team doctors.
Long-term costs mount as draft capital depleted
LA does not control its own first-round pick again until 2028. Oklahoma City, which received the Clippers’ unprotected 2026 first-rounder and holds swap rights in 2027, won the 2025 championship behind Gilgeous-Alexander and has since awarded him a four-year, $285 million super-max extension.
Multiple rival executives told ESPN that the initial move for Leonard was defensible but now label it “a disaster.” Internally, according to a former staffer, the franchise has shifted focus: “They’re done building around Kawhi.” Leonard’s contract runs through the 2026-27 season.
Source: ESPN
