Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
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The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves at the center of controversy surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s contract. The team is reported to have shadily negotiated a way to circumvent the salary cap.
Pablo Torre believes he discovered the loophole, which alleges paying the star forward $28 million to do a fake job with a fraudulent company.
Exclusive: Kawhi Leonard signed a $28M endorsement deal for a “no-show job” with a fraudulent tree-planting company funded by $50M from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, according to documents obtained by @PabloTorre.
“It was to circumvent the salary cap,” an inside source says. pic.twitter.com/F6z5pNEkI1
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) September 3, 2025
The investigative journalist detailed his discovery on a recent episode of his Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast. His findings are eyebrow raising.
Torre claims to have found a paper trail potentially linking Leonard to an “allegedly fraudulent” tree-planting company, Aspiration, funded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
A $28 million payment to KL2 Aspire LLC, which is managed/owned by Kawhi Leonard, is the tie. The company still owes $7 million after filing for bankruptcy, according to Torre.
Did Clippers pay Kawhi Leonard for fake job?
Torre did not find any instances of Leonard marketing the company to the public, which seems odd given the massive investment. Other celebrities linked to the business were seen promoting the brand.
Torre also allegedly got employee testimony on the situation.
“I didn’t so much as discover it as I was told about it,” an anonymous Aspiration employee said. “My reaction was, ‘What the f—?’
“I was told, ‘These are the major players and major contracts you really need to be aware of… Oh, and by the way, we also have a marketing deal with Kawhi Leonard. A $28 million organic marketing sponsorship… If I had any questions about it, essentially don’t, because it was to circumvent the salary cap.'”
The employee said he/she never saw Leonard promote the company. They agreed that it was a “no-show job.”
“The single largest payment to an individual for marketing that Aspiration ever made has completely evaded all press… He didn’t have to do anything.”
-Anonymous Aspiration employee
The Clippers responded to Pablo Torre in a statement regarding the Kawhi Leonard allegations. They deny wrongdoing.
“Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration,” the organization wrote. “Any contrary assertion is provably false.”
The NBA was reportedly suspicious of the deal. It did not find that the Clippers got Leonard by “sweetening their offer” after an investigation.