Overview

• Speaking at a Sports Business Journal event, Steve Ballmer said he was personally defrauded, asserted the team followed the CBA, and welcomed the NBA’s investigation.
• The probe focuses on a reported $28 million Aspiration endorsement connected to Kawhi Leonard that critics have characterized as a no‑show deal.
• Fadeaway World reports that former Aspiration employees questioned the deliverables and that the timing of cash flows involving Ballmer, co-owner Dennis Wong, Aspiration, and Leonard has raised concerns among some league executives.
• Heavy and other outlets note possible league penalties that could include fines, loss of draft picks, or even voiding Leonard’s contract, though outcomes remain unannounced.
• Yardbarker argues that voiding Leonard’s deal could unintentionally benefit the Clippers by relieving future salary-cap pressure rather than serving as a deterrent.