Silver Says Kawhi Leonard Probe Must End Before 2026-27 Season as Trade Stalls
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 15
Silver Says Kawhi Leonard Probe Must End Before 2026-27 Season as Trade Stalls
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 15
Summary
Adam Silver said the NBA expects the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap investigation to finish this summer and insists it must be resolved before next season begins.
The probe, opened in September, is examining whether the Clippers funneled money to Leonard through a $28 million Aspiration endorsement deal; Silver cited bankruptcy-court issues and reluctant witnesses for the delay.
A reported June 30 trade sending Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 swap and two seconds remains on hold while the risk to Leonard's contract is unresolved.
Silver said the league did not block that deal, arguing teams already knew the investigation could lead to penalties including a voided contract or a fine of up to $350,000.
Separately, Silver defended the NBA's second-apron spending rules as promoting competition, while saying they could still be revisited in future labor talks.