The Los Angeles Clippers have yet to identify who will temporarily lead their front office to complete the Kawhi Leonard trade with the Toronto Raptors.
Following Steve Ballmer’s statement of full acceptance and compliance with the NBA’s historic punishments, the Clippers are still figuring out who will serve as their interim governor, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Kawhi Leonard trade not done yet amid Clippers' search for interim governor
Kawhi Leonard has been traded by the LA Clippers to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and future draft assets this offseason. However, both teams notably paused the deal to wait for the conclusion of the NBA's investigation into the Clippers' salary cap circumvention schemes.
But with the punishments already handed down and LA president Lawrence Frank suspended for six months, the Clippers insist they cannot complete the trade until an interim governor is named.
This leads many to assume the Clippers might be intentionally delaying the trade, as it was already revealed that both LA and Toronto can submit the Leonard deal at any time they desire.
Current Clippers general manager Trent Redden is seen as the clear frontrunner who can temporarily replace Frank.
Steve Ballmer statement still won't affect Kawhi Leonard trade
Following Steve Ballmer’s official statement, Jake Fischer believes it remains uncertain when the Kawhi Leonard trade will officially be processed.
Both the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have a mutual understanding that the trade is expected to happen. However, the Clippers still appear to be taking their time before making the deal official.
Leonard himself already made it clear that he hopes the trade will happen, which will send him back to the Raptors franchise he led to its first-ever title in 2019.