Latest report sheds new light on NBA’s Clippers investigation

The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers may be broader than originally believed.

According to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, league investigators are now looking into whether the Clippers improperly covered certain expenses for Leonard without being reimbursed.

The report also said investigators have examined whether Leonard had another endorsement agreement with a separate company beyond his previously reported relationship with Aspiration.

The Clippers have denied any wrongdoing throughout the process, maintaining they and owner Steve Ballmer were victims of fraud committed by former Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg.

Still, Vorkunov reported that some executives around the NBA now believe the Clippers are likely to face some form of league discipline once the investigation is complete.

The Athletic also reported that not everyone at Aspiration believed Leonard’s endorsement deal was intended to be a no-show arrangement.

According to former employees, the company at one point explored marketing campaigns built around Leonard, including one reportedly inspired by Groot, the tree-like Marvel character. But those efforts were eventually abandoned before anything ever reached the public.

Meanwhile, the Raptors remain in a holding pattern.

Toronto has a trade agreement in place to acquire Leonard, but the deal cannot be finalized until the NBA completes its investigation. The delay is intended to ensure the Raptors won’t inherit any potential penalties that could be assessed to Leonard as a result of the probe.

Neither the NBA nor the Clippers has indicated when the investigation is expected to conclude.