The Los Angeles Clippers have been accused of circumventing the NBA salary cap with star forward Kawhi Leonard in light of some reporting from sports investigator Pablo Torre.
The accusation floating around is that the Clippers used an allegedly fraudulent tree-planting company as a means of paying Leonard millions of dollars in an endorsement deal, something Torre and a source termed as a “no-show job.”
The Clippers issued a statement denying that they circumvented the cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration, the company in question.
Exclusive: Kawhi Leonard signed a $28M endorsement deal for a "no-show job" with a fraudulent tree-planting company funded by $50M from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, according to documents obtained by @PabloTorre.
"It was to circumvent the salary cap," an inside source says. pic.twitter.com/F6z5pNEkI1
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) September 3, 2025
People across the sports world have had all sorts of reactions to the news. Leonard is someone who has built a reputation for laying low and not being in a whole lot of drama off the court.
This is wild. Like the SEC in 1997. https://t.co/WRmjErpAqJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2025
This story is WILD. There is a clause that says Kawhi Leonard only gets paid as long as he is still with the Clippers. Great work @pablofindsout. https://t.co/mUcRvn0YaI pic.twitter.com/k0dos0FpIP
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) September 3, 2025
Kawhi showing up to collect his “tree planting” check every quarter pic.twitter.com/Hr53Tlh0eW
— Not Bald (@fadecorner) September 3, 2025
kawhi collecting his $7M “tree planting” check every year pic.twitter.com/oda6Sf9wmT
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) September 3, 2025
The alleged violations in this incredibly detailed @PabloTorre report are staggering and without precedent.
The Clippers told Torre any assertion of wrongdoing involving Steve Ballmer or the team is "provably false."
A story that has shaken the NBA — already — like very few. https://t.co/ZJ2MUkjoSv
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 3, 2025
Quite a bombshell from @PabloTorre and his team on the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers story I know quite well. Very curious to see how the NBA responds… https://t.co/q39IUAnApf
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) September 3, 2025
Stephen A. Smith goes off on Kawhi
“If there's a way for this brother to get money guaranteed without working… I haven't seen too many people as gifted in taking time off as Kawhi Leonard.”
(🎥 @FirstTake / h/t @ClutchPoints )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 3, 2025
Aspiration is a company with a shaky track record. Its co-founder Joseph Sanberg pled guilty to defrauding multiple investors.
According to a bankruptcy filing, Aspiration still owes millions of dollars to Leonard, yet Torre couldn’t uncover one instance where Leonard publicly endorsed the company. A handful of other celebrities did publicly endorse the company.
The Clippers aren’t the first team to be accused of circumventing the salary cap, but this type of story certainly doesn’t come around too often.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, if the team is found to have circumvented the salary cap, the penalties for doing so in today’s NBA aren’t as harsh as they once were. But according to the CBA, the commissioner is still authorized to fine the team, strip a first-round draft pick and void any deals that violated league rules.
The Clippers are surely hoping that news of this alleged scheme won’t have negative implications on the team’s 2025-26 season. Los Angeles projects to contend in the Western Conference in the coming campaign in light of some offseason additions such as Bradley Beal, John Collins, Brook Lopez and Chris Paul.
It will be worth keeping tabs on what becomes of this bombshell report regarding the Clippers and Leonard and if the organization will face any punishment or is found guilty of any wrongdoing.
