NBA Clears Kawhi Leonard for Raptors Return Despite Clippers Cap Violations
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The league declined to void Leonard's contract or issue a suspension, though it penalized Clippers ownership and stripped the team of five first-round picks.
Following a salary-cap circumvention probe into the Los Angeles Clippers, the NBA has opted not to void Kawhi Leonard's contract or suspend the player, as reported by CBC and Global News Toronto.
The league's independent inquiry revealed multiple significant rules violations and a pattern of misconduct. Global News Toronto reports that Leonard breached circumvention rules by failing to pay back personal expenses covered by the team and accepting off-court income facilitated by the Clippers. This involved a $28 million "no-show" endorsement contract with Aspiration, an environmental firm that filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 after co-founder Joe Sanberg faced fraud charges. According to Global News Toronto, the agreement required no effort from Leonard other than remaining a member of the Clippers.
Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution, but the NBA imposed severe sanctions on the organization. The Clippers were hit with a US$30 million fine and lost five first-round draft picks spanning 2029 to 2033. Furthermore, owner Steve Ballmer and business operations president Gillian Zucker were suspended for one year, while basketball operations president Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension. Dennis Robertson, Leonard's uncle and former business manager, has been barred from doing business with NBA teams and affiliates for five years.
The ruling clears the way for a trade proposal that was paused in July. According to Global News Toronto, the deal would send Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, while the Clippers would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap, and two second-round selections.