The investigation of the NBA regarding the possibility that the LA Clippers violated the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard might extend until 2027 unless there’s agreement on the conclusions or a settlement involving sanctions against the team.
The ESPN sources, who are informed about the NBPA’s position in the investigation, added that the players’ association will not hesitate to resort to arbitration if the NBA wants to punish the Clippers without evidence that proves that the allegation is true.
On July 9, David Kelly, the executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, said that he did not think that there was anything behind the accusation that the Clippers paid Leonard via a $28 million endorsement contract he signed in 2022 with Aspiration, which also has a 23-year, $300 million deal with the Clippers.
When asked if he thought that there was anything revealed by the New York law firm Wachtell Lipton, which is leading the NBA investigation, that warranted punishment, Kelly stated: “Not from anything I have seen.”
One of the sources, who knew about the investigative process, said not to expect any kind of information from outsiders regarding Wachtell Lipton’s findings or people speculating based on how long it is taking for the NBA to reach a conclusion.
