Story perspectives

NBA Probes $28M Cap-Evasion Deal Involving Kawhi Leonard

6/6/2026

Summary

Leonard Salary Cap Probe

NBA investigators interviewed Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, his uncle Dennis Robertson, owner Steve Ballmer, and Aspiration executives.
The probe alleges the Clippers used Aspiration to pay Leonard $28 million from 2022-2025, bypassing the salary cap.
Commissioner Adam Silver said the independent-law-firm investigation must be wrapped up soon while getting the facts right.
Ballmer, the Clippers and Leonard’s camp deny wrongdoing while other teams may resist discipline without clear evidence.

Summary

Pablo Torre Probe

Joe Sandberg, Aspiration co-founder, received a 14-year prison sentence for defrauding investors.
The NBA probe started after former ESPN contributor Pablo Torre released podcasts alleging cap circumvention.
The league hired New York law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in September to run an independent investigation and send a report to Commissioner Adam Silver for discipline.
Pablo Torre Finds Out won the 2026 Pulitzer for Audio Reporting covering the allegations.

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Leonard Salary Cap Probe

NBA investigators interviewed Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, his uncle Dennis Robertson, owner Steve Ballmer, and Aspiration executives.
The probe alleges the Clippers used Aspiration to pay Leonard $28 million from 2022-2025, bypassing the salary cap.
Commissioner Adam Silver said the independent-law-firm investigation must be wrapped up soon while getting the facts right.
Ballmer, the Clippers and Leonard’s camp deny wrongdoing while other teams may resist discipline without clear evidence.

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