Former NBA star Danilo Gallinari has criticized the punishment handed to Kawhi Leonard following the conclusion of the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers' alleged salary-cap circumvention.
Gallinari believes Leonard's $700,000 fine was far too lenient, arguing that the money he allegedly received outside his playing contract should instead be donated to charity.
"He should pay all of that $50 million," Gallinari said on the A Cresta Alta podcast. "He changed the trajectory of my career and put me in a difficult situation by sending me away from Los Angeles."
"He should give that money to charity. He should pay all $50 million, not just $700,000," he added.
Clippers hit with historic punishment over salary-cap scandal
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard
Following Wachtell Lipton's year-long investigation, the NBA imposed what became the harshest punishment in league history on the Los Angeles Clippers for circumventing salary-cap rules.
The organization was ordered to forfeit five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033, pay a $30 million fine, and operate under a strict five-year league compliance and monitoring program.
Team owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension from all NBA and team activities, while President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year without pay.
President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was handed a six-month suspension without pay.
Leonard, meanwhile, was fined $700,000, while his uncle and former business manager Dennis Robertson received a five-year ban from conducting business within the NBA.