In the wake of ESPN's latest report, which appears to clear Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers of the salary cap circumvention allegations, Pablo Torre maintained his conviction to continue his investigation into the case.
On X, the award-winning investigative journalist wrote, “We stand by our (ongoing) reporting on Kawhi Leonard and Steve Ballmer’s Clippers,” while resharing his reaction to the network's report on the issue.
In his reaction video, Torre questioned several segments of ESPN's article, most primarily the reported negotiation efforts between Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's camp and the NBA to reach a potential resolution to the investigation.
"This is typically not how investigations work, whether in the criminal justice system or in journalism," Torre argued. "The subject of the investigation does not get to negotiate with the group that is doing the investigating."
Torre was the one who famously exposed the entire Leonard and the Clippers salary cap scandal via a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a green banking startup that reached bankruptcy.
Torre also introduced Daktronics as another channel for the Clippers to settle under-the-table payments to Leonard.
NBA denies ESPN reporting that clears Steve Ballmer to Kawhi Leonard Clippers case
ESPN reported Monday that the NBA has found no evidence that LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard as part of the alleged salary cap circumvention scheme.
The league is instead examining whether the Clippers violated its rules by introducing Leonard to team sponsors, with sources saying the team could face a less severe “failure to supervise” charge.
Hours after the story broke, NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass released an official statement slamming the network's reporting. The league office criticized the network's coverage for significant inaccuracies and claimed the investigation is still ongoing.
"ESPN's article regarding the LA Clippers investigation – for which the NBA declined to cooperate – contains numerous and significant inaccuracies," Bass said. "The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.”
It remains to be seen how the 11-month-long investigation will unfold with nearly two months remaining before the 2026-27 NBA season begins.
With no resolution yet on the probe, the blockbuster trade of Leonard by the Clippers to the Toronto Raptors is still pending.