The latest allegations about more phony Kawhi Leonard endorsement deals have certainly made an impression online, but they are not likely to impact the NBA’s ongoing investigation too much.
Sources told Michael Grange of SportsNet that the league has already moved beyond the fact-finding phase of the investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers used fake endorsements to pay Leonard extra money. Instead, the league and other parties behind the scenes are aiming to get the issue resolved.
According to Grange, the most likely outcome of the investigation is that the Clippers will agree to some sort of negotiated settlement to close the issue. That would allow Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to save face, and would also allow the Clippers and Toronto Raptors to complete their trade agreement involving Leonard.
The latest report suggested that Leonard had a sponsorship deal with Daktronics, the manufacturer of the Clippers’ Jumbotron. It had previously been reported that the league was aware of a second potentially fraudulent sponsorship deal, though it is not clear if that is the one being referred to.
While the Raptors have agreed to acquire Leonard, they are refusing to complete the deal as they do not want to be on the hook for any sanctions that come from the investigation. It is ultimately in everyone’s best interest to allow that deal to get done, though the league has to be careful, as rival owners will want to see the Clippers properly punished for any wrongdoing.
