In 2019, Kawhi Leonard reportedly demanded a partial ownership stake, private jet service, a house, and guaranteed endorsements and sponsorships from the Lakers as a high-profile free agent before ultimately joining the Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard is back dominating the league narratives again with a new scandalous allegation about his and the Los Angeles Clippers' attempt to manipulate the NBA's salary cap.
As the one who fully exposed Leonard and the Clippers' ties with Aspiration via a $28 million "no-show" endorsement, investigative journalist Pablo Torre recently dropped another groundbreaking revelation, bringing another layer to the ongoing case around the superstar forward.
Per Torre, Leonard apparently has another hidden channel for earning under-the-table money from the Clippers. LA's scoreboard maker, Daktronics, has a secret multimillion-dollar "sponsorship" agreement with Leonard.
The Clippers notably commissioned Daktronics $100 million to manufacture and build the Intuit Dome's famous "Halo Board", and anyone can only wonder how much Leonard eventually earned from that out of his secret deal with the electronics company.
Kawhi Leonard's crazy 2019 free agency demand from Lakers resurfaces amid Clippers new salary cap scandal
The growing controversy surrounding Kawhi Leonard has brought renewed attention to his 2019 free agency. After spearheading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title in one of the most historic individual runs of all time, Leonard became the most sought-after free agent, with both Los Angeles teams desperately competing for his commitment.
Sam Amick of The Athletic previously reported that Leonard had a staggering list of demands for the Lakers. Behind his uncle and infamous business manager Dennis Robertson, Leonard wanted the franchise to meet lofty conditions before he would consider signing with the purple and gold:
Part ownership of the team
A private plane that would be available at all times
A house
A guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money
Robertson repeatedly demanded all these from Jeanie Buss, but the Lakers governor ultimately dismissed them due to obvious illegality under the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
In the end, Leonard joined the Clippers on a three-year, $103.1 million contract. At that time, no one knew that both sides had a handshake agreement that would create headlines across the league six years later.
NBA still yet to hand major punishment on Kawhi Leonard, Clippers salary cap circumvention scandal
Right now, everyone in basketball is currently deafened by the silence from the league leadership regarding Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers' salary cap circumvention case.
With the new season just two months away and the issue having dragged on for nearly a year, many are still waiting for the NBA's final decision and potential punishment. Commissioner Adam Silver previously said that a resolution was expected this summer.
With the emergence of Daktronics as a second salary-cap funneling channel to pay Leonard alongside Aspiration, the NBA must be urgent and mindful as its ongoing investigation and looming decision are set to inflict major implications for its reputation as the world's biggest basketball league.
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