NBA strategists warn that if Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers escape serious punishment over his $28 million "no-show" endorsement deal, other teams could copy the scheme by creating shell companies to secretly pay players.
The Kawhi Leonard scandal continues to unfold with new details.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, multiple team strategists believe that if the Los Angeles Clippers aren't docked several first-round picks and Leonard's contract isn't voided—while his salary remains on the team's books—other franchises might feel emboldened to create their own "shell companies" to provide extra compensation to players.
In the lead-up to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's first public comments on the matter, Fischer spoke with numerous figures across the league, many of whom expressed outrage and were convinced the Clippers would face some form of punishment.
The general perception of the team's alleged actions is overwhelmingly negative.
At the center of the controversy are allegations that Leonard received a $28 million "no-show" endorsement deal from Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental company funded with $50 million by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
Credit AFP – Scanpix
The deal, signed in 2022 through Leonard's company KL2 Aspire LLC, required no actual promotional work and included clauses linking payments to Kawhi's continued tenure with the Clippers.
The arrangement sparked an NBA investigation after a September 3, 2025, exposé on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast.
While Ballmer and the LA Clippers deny any involvement or knowledge—stating it was Leonard's independent business—Commissioner Silver noted on September 11 that substantial evidence would be required to impose penalties, which could include fines, draft pick forfeiture, or even voiding Leonard's contract.
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