NBA probe puts Kawhi Leonard trade and Clippers contract under scrutiny

A proposed trade that would send Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors has been put on hold while the NBA investigates whether the Los Angeles Clippers broke salary cap rules. The league opened its probe after reporting from journalist Pablo Torre alleged Leonard received a $28 million US endorsement deal with Aspiration, a nowbankrupt financial technology company, while he was with the Clippers. The article says the deal may have been designed to provide compensation beyond what the NBA salary cap allowed. If the league finds a violation, possible penalties could include fines, loss of draft picks, and sanctions against team personnel. Leonard could also face discipline under the league’s collective bargaining rules, including having his contract voided or, in the most serious scenario, a suspension that would keep him off the court for a season. The Raptors said they paused the trade after the league told them they would assume any risk tied to the outcome of the investigation. NBA officials have not given a timeline for when the review will finish.