Kawhi Leonard issues statement following NBA salary cap circumvention penalty
8 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 7:15 AM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
The NBA concluded a year-long investigation into salary cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers, resulting in significant sanctions for the organization. Owner Steve Ballmer received a $30 million fine and a one-year suspension, while the team will forfeit five future first-round draft picks. Executives Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker also face suspensions. Kawhi Leonard received a $700,000 fine for his involvement, and his uncle, Dennis Robertson, was banned from all NBA dealings. Following the league's announcement, Leonard released a statement claiming he entered his contract in good faith and had no knowledge of any intent to circumvent league rules. He admitted to lapses in judgment by his inner circle but emphasized his commitment to the game. Many observers expressed dissatisfaction with the severity of the penalty, suggesting the consequences for the player were inadequate given the nature of the infractions.
- •Kawhi Leonard was fined $700,000 for his role in salary cap circumvention.
- •The Los Angeles Clippers must forfeit five future first-round draft picks.
- •Owner Steve Ballmer faces a $30 million fine and a one-year ban.
- •Dennis Robertson is permanently banned from all league business dealings.
- •Leonard denied personal knowledge of efforts to circumvent salary cap regulations.
- 9:26 AMYahoo Sports — LA Lakers, Dodgers involved as Pablo Torre teases next billionaire investigation
- 7:15 AMYahoo Sports — ‘This Is Crazy,’ ‘Launch Lawrence Frank Into the Sun’ — Uproar Intensifies As Pablo Torre Suggests Clippers Exec Snitched in Kawhi Leonard Scandal
- 3:26 AMYahoo Sports — Kawhi Leonard’s claim of not knowing about salary cap circumvention exposed by Pablo Torre
- 2:40 AMYahoo Sports — “Cap!”: Ex-Clippers Star’s Brother Claims Kawhi Leonard Knew About $28M Aspiration Deal Despite Denial
- 2:36 PMYahoo Sports — Brian Windhorst Calls Kawhi Leonard The ‘Unmitigated Winner’ Of Clippers Salary Cap Scandal
- 9:36 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Beyond Embarrassing’ — NBA World Eviscerates Clippers’ ‘Comical’ Statement Reacting to Kawhi Leonard Punishments
- 8:15 AMYahoo Sports — ‘The Worst Superstar in the History of American Sports’ — Stephen A. Smith Unloads on Kawhi Leonard As 2-Time NBA Champion ‘Gets Off Easy’ in Clippers Scandal
- 5:10 AMYahoo Sports — Stephen A. Smith Says Kawhi Leonard ‘Got Off Easy’ With $700K Fine; Urges Lifetime Ban For His Uncle
"After a near-yearlong investigation, the Los Angeles Clippers have been fined $30 million, the largest team fine in NBA history, for circumventing the salary cap to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Leonard has also been fined $700,000 for his involvement, while the Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks.
"Fresh off the vindication of having been right about Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, Pablo Torre teases his next investigation which is set to involve their crosstown rivals. The Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard were punished by the NBA for their roles in circumventing the salary cap.
"The NBA’s historic punishment has already put the Los Angeles Clippers under immense scrutiny, but the fallout from the Kawhi Leonard scandal is far from over. Pablo Torre, who first brought the alleged salary-cap circumvention into the spotlight, has now added fresh fuel to the fire.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 9:26 AMLA Lakers, Dodgers involved as Pablo Torre teases next billionaire investigation
Fresh off the vindication of having been right about Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, Pablo Torre teases his next investigation which is set to involve their crosstown rivals. The Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard were punished by the NBA for their roles in circumventing the salary cap.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 7:15 AM‘This Is Crazy,’ ‘Launch Lawrence Frank Into the Sun’ — Uproar Intensifies As Pablo Torre Suggests Clippers Exec Snitched in Kawhi Leonard Scandal
The NBA’s historic punishment has already put the Los Angeles Clippers under immense scrutiny, but the fallout from the Kawhi Leonard scandal is far from over. Pablo Torre, who first brought the alleged salary-cap circumvention into the spotlight, has now added fresh fuel to the fire.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 3:26 AMKawhi Leonard’s claim of not knowing about salary cap circumvention exposed by Pablo Torre
The NBA has found Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers guilty of salary cap circumvention following a long investigation. As a result, the NBA has slammed the LA Clippers with a fine of $30 million, along with taking away their five first-round draft picks.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 2:40 AM“Cap!”: Ex-Clippers Star’s Brother Claims Kawhi Leonard Knew About $28M Aspiration Deal Despite Denial
Kawhi Leonard may have escaped the NBA’s harshest punishment, but the league’s findings have not escaped scrutiny. Amid the staggering penalties on the Clippers, Klaw walked away without a suspension.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 2:36 PMBrian Windhorst Calls Kawhi Leonard The ‘Unmitigated Winner’ Of Clippers Salary Cap Scandal
Brian Windhorst called Kawhi Leonard an “unmitigated winner” after comparing his $700,000 punishment to the millions he collected.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 9:36 AM‘Beyond Embarrassing’ — NBA World Eviscerates Clippers’ ‘Comical’ Statement Reacting to Kawhi Leonard Punishments
The Kawhi Leonard-Los Angeles Clippers salary cap circumvention ordeal is finally nearing a close. Last September, investigative journalist Pablo Torre accused LA of funneling $28 million under the table to Leonard and his camp through Aspiration.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 8:15 AM‘The Worst Superstar in the History of American Sports’ — Stephen A. Smith Unloads on Kawhi Leonard As 2-Time NBA Champion ‘Gets Off Easy’ in Clippers Scandal
After a near-yearlong investigation, the Los Angeles Clippers have been fined $30 million, the largest team fine in NBA history, for circumventing the salary cap to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Leonard has also been fined $700,000 for his involvement, while the Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 5:10 AMStephen A. Smith Says Kawhi Leonard ‘Got Off Easy’ With $700K Fine; Urges Lifetime Ban For His Uncle
Stephen A. Smith believes Kawhi Leonard deserves a harsher punishment than a $700,000 fine and his uncle deserves a lifetime ban for circumventing the NBA salary cap with the Clippers.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 2:56 AM‘Should be worse’ – NBA fans aren’t buying Kawhi Leonard’s statement after ‘measly’ $700K penalty
Kawhi Leonard released a statement after the NBA fined him $700,000 for his role in the LA Clippers’ salary cap circumvention. Fans reacted by calling out the two-time champion.
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