The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly upset that Kawhi Leonard received only a slap on the wrist from the NBA for their salary cap circumvention scandal.
NBA insider Jake Fischer dropped the revelation in his latest Bleacher Report updates.
"There is some element that Los Angeles is frustrated and disappointed by the fact that Kawhi Leonard has such got cuffs free here," Fischer said.
Clippers earn major punishment over Kawhi Leonard investigation
Following a year-long investigation into their salary cap circumvention, the NBA handed the LA Clippers the harshest penalty in league history.
The league stripped the franchise of five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033, issued a $30 million fine, and suspended owner Steve Ballmer and executive Gillian Zucker for one year, as well as president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard was only ordered to pay a $700,000 fine for his role in the infamous scandal.
Mainly, Leonard benefited most from the Clippers' salary cap manipulation, as he obtained several under-the-table deals, including a prominent no-show endorsement contract for Aspiration.
It was previously revealed that Ballmer's hesitancy to accept full accountability triggered the NBA to work with Leonard and the NBA Players Union to finalize the punishment, hence allowing the superstar to escape with a minimal sanction.
Kawhi Leonard trade still pushing
In the end, despite the disappointment that Leonard just received a fine, the Los Angeles Clippers remain compelled to complete their offseason blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors.
As reported, the Clippers are still working to finalize their interim front-office leadership after the suspensions of Steve Ballmer, Gillian Zucker, and Lawrence Frank, resulting in a delay to the Leonard trade to Toronto.
The deal is still expected to happen, which will allow the Clippers to get Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a 2027 first-round pick swap from the Raptors.
"At this point in time, I have not given any indication that the Clippers are trying to get tricky here or being spiteful to Kawhi, but they are not moving forward with this trade at this point," Fischer added.
"They are saying to Toronto, they are saying to Kawhi, they are saying to Brandon Ingram's side that they are working to their front office structure before moving forward to this."