Overview
- Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix said this week that front offices are discussing penalties up to a so-called “basketball death penalty,” and he even raised the chance the NBA could void Leonard’s deal.
- The NBA opened a formal review in September 2025 led by law firm Wachtell Lipton and is expected by many observers to wait until the Clippers’ season ends to announce any ruling.
- The probe centers on claims that former team sponsor Aspiration paid Leonard $28 million for little or no promotional work to skirt the cap, which Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer deny.
- Under the league’s rules, penalties could include voiding the contract, stripping future first-round picks, heavy fines, or suspensions, with the 2000 Joe Smith case as the closest example of such discipline.
- A voided contract could push Leonard into free agency and cut his pay, with EssentiallySports estimating a $50.3 million hit for one season.