Silver Says Clippers, Raptors Halted Kawhi Trade as $28 Million Probe Stays Open
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 15
Silver Says Clippers, Raptors Halted Kawhi Trade as $28 Million Probe Stays Open
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 15
Summary
July 9's stalled Kawhi Leonard trade was a team decision, Adam Silver said, rejecting claims that the NBA itself paused the Clippers-Raptors deal.
Silver said both clubs already knew the unresolved investigation could affect Leonard or his contract and chose not to absorb that uncertainty before finalizing the trade.
The probe, opened in September, is examining allegations the Clippers circumvented the salary cap through third-party payments tied to Aspiration, including a reported $28 million endorsement deal.
Wachtell Lipton is running the investigation independently of the league, and Silver said he still expects it to finish this summer so any trade and possible discipline can be resolved before next season.