Kawhi Leonard has addressed the NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and the sweeping penalties imposed on the organization, saying he accepts responsibility for lapses in judgment within his inner circle while denying any knowledge of an attempt to circumvent the salary cap.
“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept 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. I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap. For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate,” Leonard posted on Instagram on Wednesday.
The NBA announced earlier Wednesday that the Clippers and Leonard violated the league’s salary-cap circumvention rules following an independent investigation conducted by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
According to the NBA, the Clippers initiated and facilitated off-court income opportunities between Leonard and four companies doing business with the team: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance.
The league also found that the Clippers induced companies to enter endorsement agreements with Leonard by offering them team business, while the organization paid personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives.
The NBA said Leonard violated the rules through actions taken on his behalf by his former business manager, Dennis Robertson. Robertson allegedly pressured the Clippers to help Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, while Leonard also failed to reimburse the organization for personal expenses it had paid.
Leonard was fined $700,000 by the NBA, while Robertson received a five-year ban from conducting business or engaging with NBA teams and affiliates on behalf of players, employees or other league personnel.
The Clippers received the largest organizational penalties, forfeiting their first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA Drafts and being fined $30 million.
Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year. Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year unpaid suspension, while President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for six months.
The organization will also operate under a five-year league compliance and monitoring program. The NBA and NBPA agreed that the announced penalties are final and binding, although the league said Wachtell Lipton continues to receive relevant information and further action remains possible.
The investigation comes shortly after Leonard was traded back to the Toronto Raptors following seven seasons with the Clippers. Los Angeles finished 42-40 and ninth in the Western Conference in 2025-26.
Leonard produced one of the strongest individual seasons of his career before the trade, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games. He shot 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 89.2% from the free-throw line while earning All-NBA Second Team honors, an All-Star selection and finishing seventh in MVP voting.
