The NBA has questioned Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard and his uncle and business adviser Dennis Robertson as part of an investigation into whether the franchise skirted salary-cap rules to compensate the seven-time All-Star, according to multiple sources cited by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
The probe, overseen by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, began in September 2025 after investigative journalist and podcaster Pablo Torre reported that the Clippers routed money to Leonard through a no-show endorsement with the now-defunct green banking company Aspiration.
Team owner Steve Ballmer and additional club officials have also been interviewed, Holmes reported. Torre previously said former Aspiration executives were questioned as well, with five ex-employees noting they were not asked about Ballmer, whose alleged involvement was central to Torre’s account.
Ballmer, Leonard and other principal figures have publicly denied any wrongdoing, a stance Leonard’s camp reiterated to ESPN. Privately, some Clippers executives have grown frustrated at what they describe as the challenge of disproving an infraction they say never occurred, sources told Holmes. The organization remains uncertain about the investigation’s eventual outcome.
During a Wednesday press conference, NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated the inquiry is approaching its final stages but provided no specific timetable. Silver said he will rely solely on the findings presented by investigators and will not be influenced by outside pressure, noting that his accountability lies with the league’s other 29 owners.
The NBA has not announced when it will reveal its conclusions or any potential penalties.
Source: Hoops Rumors
