Overview
- The Clippers and Raptors agreed a blockbuster trade on June 30 that would send Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, but the Raptors announced on Thursday that they will not complete the deal until the NBA investigation finishes.
- The probe, opened after reporting on a reported $28 million endorsement with Aspiration, is examining whether the Clippers used that deal as off‑books compensation to skirt salary‑cap rules.
- The Clippers say they have fully cooperated for about 10 months and deny funneling money to Leonard through Aspiration, while Aspiration co‑founder Joe Sanberg has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 years and the company later filed for bankruptcy.
- The league hired outside counsel Wachtell, Lipton to run the review and has given no firm public timeline; confirmed circumvention findings under the CBA could lead to fines, loss of draft picks, personnel discipline or even voiding a player contract.
- Until the law firm finishes its work, Leonard, the two clubs and the players included in the proposed swap remain in limbo and the next key development will be Wachtell’s final report and any decision by Commissioner Adam Silver.