A reported development in the NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers could be positive news for team owner Steve Ballmer, although the league is disputing parts of the report.
According to ESPN, investigators found no evidence that Ballmer funneled money through Clippers sponsors to provide Leonard with compensation outside the salary cap.
However, the NBA pushed back against the report, saying it “contains numerous and significant inaccuracies.”
The investigation began following allegations that Ballmer invested $50 million in Aspiration before the company entered into a $28 million endorsement agreement with Leonard, raising questions about potential salary-cap circumvention.
After nearly a year of investigation, no evidence of such payments has reportedly been discovered. Still, the NBA is examining whether the Clippers violated rules by connecting Leonard with team sponsors.
The Clippers defended the practice as standard around the league.
“The Clippers introduced players, including Kawhi Leonard, to companies with which we had business relationships. Making introductions between players and team partners is both an ordinary practice by NBA teams and a common request of players and representatives.”
They added that Leonard and his representatives independently negotiated those arrangements.
“From there, Kawhi and his representatives handled their own negotiations. The Clippers did not negotiate or dictate the terms of Kawhi’s endorsement agreements or determine what he would be paid.”
The organization also maintained that it never provided Leonard with hidden compensation.
“After nearly a year of scrutiny, the central fact remains true and unchanged: the Clippers did not funnel money to Kawhi, arrange for others to compensate him on our behalf, or otherwise provide him with undisclosed compensation outside of his NBA contract.”
NBA Investigation Finds No Evidence Ballmer Funneled Cash To Kawhi, Report Says https://t.co/TIW4qQAkQ7
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) August 17, 2026
