RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sources‘Absolute Embarrassment’ - Controversy Erupts Over Latest Update on NBA’s Investigation Into Kawhi Leonard-Clippers Cap Scandal
The Toronto Raptors would like to reintroduce Kawhi Leonard to their starved fanbase. But the NBA won’t let them.
While Leonard was technically traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Raptors this summer, the deal was held up because of the league’s ongoing investigation involving Leonard’s contract with L.A. Now, there may be an even bigger delay.
NBA World Reacts to Kawhi Leonard, Clippers’ Investigation Setback
While the Clippers agreed to trade Leonard on July 9, the Raptors are waiting for the NBA’s investigation to conclude before finalizing the deal. Unfortunately, now it looks like the Raptors may be waiting for a while. A long while.
Now, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes , the NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Leonard could “drag into 2027.”
The news comes as a significant surprise, considering that, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel points out , it was just last week when NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he wanted to have this case wrapped up before the season gets underway.
“Adam Silver stated a few weeks ago in Las Vegas that he wanted the Kawhi investigation done this summer. Now, it could drag on well past the summer.”
Naturally, the NBA world is up in arms about the latest development in the Leonard case, and they’ve taken to social media to throw their fits.
One X account called it “ absolute embarrassment ” on the NBA’s end.
“Cannot describe how dumb this is. This should’ve been done 6 months ago. Absolute embarrassment for the league office.”
One unique stipulation in Holmes’ report was that a resolution could be delayed until 2027 “if the parties don’t agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team.”
Meanwhile, a Clippers fan page on X believes reaching a solution on both sides is unlikely.
“Can’t see the Clippers agreeing on the findings if they’re punished, and can’t see the NBAPA agreeing on the findings if a player is punished. This is hell!”
That account wasn’t the only one who read the whole report from Holmes, finding it odd that the “ findings have to be agreed upon .”
“Wild that findings have to be agreed upon. Something either happened or didn’t.”
Another was simply calling on the NBA to hurry up and reach a conclusion in an investigation that already feels like it’s dragged on for too long.
“C’mon man, wrap this Kawhi investigation up! ”
One X account just went straight to the top to rip into the NBA commish, calling Silver “terrible.” “ Adam Silver is terrible as [expletive] bro.”
Meanwhile, TSN Sports’ Josh Lewenberg adds that even if the investigation does reach its conclusion this summer, it doesn’t mean the drama will be over.
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“Even IF the investigation wraps up this summer, a stated goal of the league’s but not a certainty, that’s just the first step in what could still be a long and complicated resolution process.”
In other words, this one is far from over, and there could be more “embarrassment” on the way.
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