The Athletic reports that Kawhi Leonard’s representatives pressed for far more than a standard maximum contract during negotiations with the Los Angeles Clippers and other teams.
According to the outlet, agent Mitch Robertson requested:
- Unlimited use of a private airplane
- A new house
- Guaranteed endorsement income
- An ownership stake in the franchise
League and team executives who spoke to The Athletic—17 in total—said each of those items would violate NBA salary-cap rules. One executive noted that similar perks have been deemed salary-cap circumvention in past investigations. The Los Angeles Lakers, who were also approached, reportedly made clear that such benefits could not be included and joked about getting the demands “in writing from another team.”
The request for equity echoed a deal the Lakers granted Magic Johnson more than 25 years ago after his retirement due to HIV. Current NBA rules, however, prohibit active players from holding ownership stakes.
The contract discussions add another layer to the league’s ongoing probe into the Clippers. An earlier report by Pablo Torre alleged the team funneled money through a defunct bank in connection with Leonard’s signing, an episode known as the “Aspiration” scandal. Investigators are now examining whether the latest demands were part of broader cap-circumvention efforts.
Neither Leonard nor the Clippers have publicly commented on the details of the reported requests. The NBA’s investigation remains open.
Source: Hoops Wire
