In an otherwise quiet portion of the NBA offseason, Pablo Torre dropped a bombshell report on the Los Angeles Clippers. The allegations put forward in the report are ones that suddenly have the Los Angeles Lakers feeling at ease about any threat of the Clippers coming for their crown in the city.
Torre claimed that Steve Ballmer set up a manner for Kawhi Leonard to receive more than the maximum salary that could be offered under NBA cap restrictions. This was allegedly done through setting up a fraudulent company that was secretly funded by the Clippers owner.
"Kawhi Leonard got from Aspiration a $28 million no-show job," Torre claimed.
The reporter did make it clear that Ballmer and the Clippers are denying the allegations and did provide a statement which firmly stated they did not circumvent the salary cap or engage in any misconduct related to Aspiration. If that proves to be untrue, and the allegations put forward have substance, it could be a deadly blow to the other team in Los Angeles.
NBA penalties would be severe for Clippers amid rumored scandal
It should be made clear there has yet to be a statement of an NBA-led investigation on the matter. The Clippers do not have to face the music as of now, if at all. However, if those gears get put into motion and Ballmer's organization are found in violation, the penalties could be brutal.
Sam Quinn of CBS Sports reminded everyone that the NBA does not take infractions like the ones in the alleged claim lightly. The gauntlet would be dropped if wrongdoing was found.
Teams who have been deemed in violation of cap circumvention would be in store for repercussions that could involve: a hefty fine to the organization, a loss of draft capital, and even having a player contract voided.
NBA penalties for cap circumvention:
- Fine of up to $4.5 million for a first offense.
- Fine of up to $5.5 million for a second offense.
- Loss of one first-round pick.
- The possibility of voiding contracts that involved circumvention. pic.twitter.com/O6NO9bMWVv
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) September 3, 2025
The Lakers, meanwhile, could get to sit back and watch their crosstown rival reap the (dreadful) rewards. Again, this would be if there is substance to what Torre has found.
Stripping a pick from what is left of the Clippers' already weak draft stock would be comical to watch from the side. The Lakers could even get a fresh free agency target in Leonard if his contract were voided.
The Clippers rocked the Lakers in their offseason battles, beating them to several potential targets in the summer of 2025. Watching a potential implosion could leave a smirk or two on the faces of those in Los Angeles rooting for the big brother franchise.