Overview

• NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the league has begun an investigation after media reports surfaced on Wednesday.
• Pablo Torre reported the allegations on his podcast, citing legal documents and an anonymous company source describing a salary‑cap workaround.
• The reported payment totaled $28 million via the now‑insolvent firm Aspiration, with Ballmer identified in the reporting as an investor.
• The arrangement was described as four annual $7 million payments tied to an endorsement Leonard allegedly signed but never performed.
• The Clippers issued a statement denying any salary‑cap circumvention and called the claims demonstrably false.