NBA reports allege Clippers violated circumvention rules in Leonard deal

An NBA report indicates that the Los Angeles Clippers violated league circumvention rules regarding the contract of Leonard. Evidence shows that Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg threatened to blow up a business deal involving the team before it was finalized. Steve Ballmer signed off on the agreement in April 2022, the same month the deal for Leonard was executed. The NBA investigation found an explicit link between the business negotiations and the player contract. The situation highlights league scrutiny over team executive conduct and the alignment of external business deals with roster transactions. No further administrative penalties or specific league actions beyond the reported violation have been disclosed.

• 10:41 PMYahoo Sports — He threatened Clippers execs. Ballmer signed off in …