The Los Angeles Clippers’ salary-cap controversy has escalated, with federal prosecutors opening an investigation into alleged violations involving Kawhi Leonard.
The inquiry comes shortly after the NBA fined the Clippers $30 million, suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one year and stripped the franchise of five first-round picks. Executives Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank were also suspended.
It remains unclear what potential crimes are being investigated, who could be targeted or whether criminal charges will eventually be filed.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver strongly criticized the organization following the league’s investigation.
“I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct. The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations.”
The Clippers have rejected the findings and said they intend to “vigorously challenge” the NBA’s decision.
“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner [Adam] Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy,” the statement read.
Leonard, who was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution, said he accepted “full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.”
He maintained that he entered the agreements “in good faith” and had no knowledge of any attempt to circumvent the salary cap. Meanwhile, the SEC is also seeking information related to Daktronics and its relationship with Leonard.
