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NBA trade involving Kawhi Leonard to Raptors paused amid Clippers investigation
🇵🇦 Panama /Crime & Justice

NBA trade involving Kawhi Leonard to Raptors paused amid Clippers investigation

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • The NBA has put a potential trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors on hold pending an investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers.
  • The investigation concerns allegations that the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules by paying Leonard through a supposed sponsorship deal.
  • Both the Raptors and Clippers are awaiting the outcome, with the Raptors expressing a desire for a swift resolution.

A potential trade that would send NBA star Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors is currently on hold, awaiting the conclusion of an NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers. The league is examining allegations that the Clippers may have bypassed salary cap regulations by structuring a supposed sponsorship deal with Leonard.

The league office of the NBA informed us that, as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any possible outcome of the investigation that affects Kawhi.

— Toronto RaptorsExplaining why the trade is on hold.

The Raptors confirmed in a statement that the league informed them they would "assume the risk of any possible outcome of the investigation that affects Kawhi." Consequently, Toronto has decided to "wait until the league's investigation concludes." The proposed trade, agreed upon on June 30, would have seen Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, return to Toronto, where he led the team to a championship in 2019. The Clippers were set to receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and future draft picks in return.

In light of this, we will wait until the league's investigation concludes.

— Toronto RaptorsStating the team's decision regarding the trade.

Leonard, a seven-time All-Star, is coming off a career-best scoring season but his campaign has been overshadowed by this investigation. The probe, initiated in September, stems from claims that Leonard's $28 million sponsorship contract with the now-bankrupt company Aspiration was merely a way to funnel indirect payments to him, thereby circumventing the NBA's salary cap. Both the Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer, and Leonard have denied any wrongdoing.

We cannot be investigating forever. At some point we have to close it. But at the same time, the most important thing is that we do it right.

— Adam SilverCommenting on the duration and thoroughness of the investigation.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the need for a timely resolution, stating in June that the investigation must conclude eventually, but emphasized the importance of conducting it thoroughly. The Clippers reiterated their confidence on Thursday that they will be exonerated and the trade will proceed, while the Raptors expressed their eagerness for Kawhi's return and a "quick resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans."

The Clippers stated that the team 'did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration.'

— Los Angeles ClippersDenying allegations of salary cap circumvention.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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