Kawhi Leonard: Silver clarifies, “The trade was not blocked”
Adam Silver addressed the investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, clarifying that the NBA did not block the proposed trade with the Toronto Raptors
The investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026–27 NBA season. Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed as much while speaking in Las Vegas following the Board of Governors meeting.
Silver acknowledged that the investigation has taken longer than expected but reiterated that the league intends to reach a conclusion before the end of the summer.
This investigation needs to be completed before the start of next season. It’s taking longer than I had hoped
Adam Silver
Why Kawhi Leonard is under investigation
The investigation, led by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, centers on allegations that the Clippers circumvented the NBA salary cap through a $28 million sponsorship agreement between Leonard and Aspiration, a company that has since filed for bankruptcy.
According to Silver, the delay has been caused primarily by legal complications.
There have been complications related to the bankruptcy court and witnesses who have been less than cooperative. I understand the fans’ frustration, but the final report is not ready yet
Adam Silver
The commissioner added that he receives weekly updates on the investigation but has not yet been informed of the investigators’ final conclusions.
NBA: “We didn’t stop the trade with Toronto”
In recent days, reports of a trade that would have sent Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors generated significant attention.
According to those reports, the deal would have sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks to the Clippers.
After the reports surfaced, both the Clippers and Raptors stated that the transaction would remain on hold until the investigation was completed.
Silver, however, emphasized that the NBA did not order the teams to pause the deal.
The league did not block the trade. The two teams chose to wait because they didn’t want to live with the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the investigation
Adam Silver
According to the commissioner, all parties involved were already aware of the potential risks and possible consequences tied to the ongoing investigation.
What risks does Kawhi Leonard face?
If the investigation ultimately finds that the salary cap rules were violated, the NBA could void Kawhi Leonard’s contract or impose a fine of up to $350,000.
For that reason, both the Raptors and Clippers have chosen to postpone any final decision until the case is resolved – a resolution that Silver hopes will come within the next few weeks.