Stephen A. Smith had a striking description for Kawhi Leonard after the NBA completed its investigation into the Clippers’ salary-cap violations and Leonard returned to the Toronto Raptors.
“He’s a gangster.”
Speaking Tuesday on “First Take,” Smith criticized the difference between the consequences Leonard faced and the much heavier punishment imposed on the Clippers.
“He broke the rules, got caught, pointed the finger at somebody else, threw the organization under the bus,” Smith said.
The NBA determined that Leonard and the Clippers violated salary-cap circumvention rules involving financial arrangements connected to the franchise. Among them was a reported $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration that allegedly required Leonard to perform no promotional work.
Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000, but he avoided suspension and his contract remained intact. Los Angeles, meanwhile, received a $30 million fine, lost five first-round picks and saw several executives suspended, including owner Steve Ballmer for one year.
Smith argued that Leonard emerged from the controversy in a much stronger position than the organization, even saying the star “got his money and left the country.”
The comment referred to Leonard’s return to Toronto, which became official Monday. The Raptors acquired the two-time Finals MVP in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round swap and two second-round selections.
Leonard now rejoins the franchise he led to the 2019 NBA championship, while the Clippers face a difficult transition without their former star and significant future draft capital.
For Smith, the contrast between Leonard’s situation and the Clippers’ punishment made the outcome particularly remarkable.
“I mean, damn,” Smith said. “How much better can it get than that?”
