Kawhi Leonard's alleged requests for illegal perks from Lakers surface
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 10, 2026, 4:27 AM
Last updated Aug 10, 2026
An NBA investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers emerged due to allegations of circumventing salary cap rules during his 2019 free agency. Leonard reportedly sought four banned perks from the Lakers—including part ownership, a private plane, a house, and guaranteed endorsement money. Unlike the Clippers, the Lakers declined to engage in the negotiations over these terms. As a result of the ongoing investigation, a trade back to the Raptors has been agreed but remains unfinalized pending the league's findings.
- •Leonard chose Clippers over Lakers and Raptors in 2019 free agency.
- •The Lakers refused Leonard's requests for illegal perks during negotiations.
- •The Clippers' sponsorship deals are under scrutiny from the NBA.
- •A trade to return Leonard to the Raptors awaits investigation results.
- •Leonard averaged 27.9 points last season, marking a strong performance.
- 4:27 AMYahoo Sports — The four ‘illegal’ perks Kawhi Leonard allegedly wanted on Lakers in 2019 before joining Clippers
"The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers could have been avoided if they had played by the rules, like the Los Angeles Lakers wanted to. Leonard’s 2019 free agency saw him primarily pick between returning to the Raptors or joining the Clippers or Lakers in LA.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NBA•Aug 10, 2026, 4:43 AMShaq says former Lakers center Deandre Ayton 'didn't do anything'
- NBA•Aug 10, 2026, 4:33 AM‘Nasty Work’ — NBA World Pushes Back on Shaquille O’Neal’s Factually Inaccurate Dig at LeBron James’ Lakers Legacy
- NBA•Aug 10, 2026, 4:18 AMCeltics Proposed to Form New Big 3 With Franz Wagner in Bold Trade
- NBA•Aug 10, 2026, 4:18 AMAnthony Edwards, Entire Timberwolves Roster Visit Rudy Gobert in France
- NBA•Aug 10, 2026, 4:10 AMBoston Celtics release statement on passing of Hall of Fame alum Don Nelson
- NBA•Aug 10, 2026, 4:00 AMDon Nelson, former NBA coach and 5-time champion as a player, dies at 86
