Overview
- The Clippers remain under an active NBA investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration, with no public findings to date.
- Tom Haberstroh argues Los Angeles should move future first-rounders now to acquire a top player, contending the league will not restrict trades during the review.
- Suggested targets include Zion Williamson, Michael Porter Jr., and Brandon Ingram, with a hypothetical package of two unprotected firsts and a 2031 swap floated as an example.
- If wrongdoing is proven, potential sanctions range from fines and suspensions to draft-pick forfeiture or even voiding Leonard’s contract, though any decision is expected to take months.
- Background reporting cites an alleged $28 million Aspiration endorsement and $20 million in stock for Leonard, as well as about $118 million invested in Aspiration by Ballmer- and Clippers-linked funds, which the team denies as improper.