RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Draymond Green has delivered a blunt message to NBA players amid the controversy surrounding Kawhi Leonard, saying they should look to exploit the league’s system if the Clippers star avoids a serious punishment.
Green believes players would be justified in finding ways to maximise their earnings in a league where the salary cap limits how much they can make through their contracts.
Leonard has been linked to allegations involving an undisclosed arrangement with Daktronics, the company that supplied technology for the Clippers’ Intuit Dome.
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Draymond Green puts NBA salary cap under the spotlight
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show , the Golden State Warriors star made his position clear.
‘We’re hearing a lot about what the punishments are going to be. And I would say, if the punishments aren’t steep, everybody should do it. If it’s just going to be a slap on the wrist, then everybody should do it. And every player should be trying to do it.’
Green’s comments come as questions continue to surround the alleged relationship between Leonard and Daktronics.
Investigative journalist Pablo Torre reported that Leonard promoted the company as part of an arrangement, with one source claiming the deal was worth millions of dollars.
However, a Daktronics spokesperson disputed the current existence of such an agreement.
‘My understanding is Daktronics doesn’t have a deal with Kawhi right now,’ the spokesperson said.
Green’s bigger concern is the NBA’s salary cap itself.
The 2026-27 salary cap is set at $164.961 million, meaning teams remain restricted in how much they can pay their players despite the huge financial growth around the league.
‘We’re playing in a league where our team just sold for $12.5 billion after being sold for $10 billion 14 months ago,’ Green said.
‘And there’s a salary cap that caps the amount of earnings that the people who’s driving the success of the league can ultimately earn.’
The situation is not entirely new for Leonard.
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The Clippers previously faced scrutiny over a reported $28m agreement between Leonard and Aspiration, while owner Steve Ballmer said he had been deceived by company co-founder Joe Sanberg. Sanberg later pleaded guilty to two wire fraud charges and received a 14-year prison sentence.
More recently, Leonard was also reported to have held a minority stake in USL club Rhode Island FC.
For Green, the issue comes down to how players are allowed to earn money in a league generating enormous revenues.
If Leonard avoids a major punishment, Green believes other NBA players may see little reason not to test the limits themselves.
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