Adam Silver expects to close the investigation on Kawhi Leonard this summer
The commissioner also defends the second apron system that is causing no one to want to spend in the League
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated on Tuesday that he remains hopeful that the investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for an alleged violation of the salary cap rules will conclude during the summer, aiming to resolve the case before the start of the next season.
"This investigation must be completed before the start of the next season. It has lasted longer than expected, there is no doubt about it," said Silver after the NBA Board of Governors meeting.
Silver explained that the league's legal department continues to receive weekly reports from the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which has been handling the investigation since September 2025. However, he clarified that the final report has not yet been delivered.
The Investigation on Kawhi Leonard
The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers may have used a sponsorship agreement to circumvent salary cap restrictions. The focus is on Leonard's $28 million sponsorship deal with the bankrupt sustainable banking company Aspiration.
The company also had a $300 million, 23-year commercial agreement with the Los Angeles franchise. Moreover, Clippers' owner Steve Ballmer invested $60 million in Aspiration but denied being aware of Leonard's contract.
Ballmer had previously been interviewed by the attorneys in charge of the investigation and met with them again last week in New York, seen as one of the final stages of the process by various sources.
Silver attributed the delay to legal complications arising from Aspiration's bankruptcy process and the lack of cooperation from some witnesses.
Trade to Toronto on Hold
Uncertainty about the investigation's outcome has also impacted the trade market. The Clippers and Raptors announced last week that the trade of Kawhi Leonard to Toronto was suspended until the NBA resolves the case.
According to various reports, the deal reached on June 30 included sending Leonard to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 pick swap, and two second-round picks.
The Clippers stated that the deal could only go through if Toronto's ownership assumed the risk of potential sanctions related to Leonard's contract. The Raptors, on their part, reiterated their interest in the player's return but would wait for the investigation's conclusion.
Silver clarified that the NBA never blocked the trade.
"The league didn't stop the trade. It was the two franchises that decided not to proceed while the investigation remained open. There was uncertainty about the potential impact on Kawhi's contract, so they chose not to take that risk," he noted.
The commissioner added that Leonard's contractual status would not change simply by being traded and assured that any interested team quickly received the necessary answers from the league office.
If it is eventually determined that Leonard violated the salary cap rules, the NBA could void his contract or impose a fine of up to $350,000.
Silver Defends the Second Apron
During the same appearance, Silver responded to criticisms from the Players Association (NBPA) regarding the limitations of the "second apron," the mechanism restricting spending capacity of franchises with higher payrolls.
The union's executive director, David Kelly, recently called for softening or removing these restrictions, arguing they "destroy teams." Franchises like the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks have pointed to the second apron as a significant factor in recent roster moves.
However, Silver defended the system and stated it is fulfilling its purpose.
"The purpose is to encourage greater competitiveness throughout the league," he explained. "We wanted to dispel the notion that only certain markets can truly aspire to win a championship."
Although he acknowledged that the issue may be revisited in upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, he made it clear that he believes the current model is working "incredibly well."
Expansion Continues Progressing
The Board of Governors also addressed the NBA's expansion process, considering the addition of new franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.
Silver disclosed that there are "multiple very serious groups" submitting proposals for the Las Vegas franchise, including ownership plans and arena construction proposals.
Although he refrained from offering specific updates, he assured that the owner selection process is proceeding as planned and anticipates it will be resolved before the year's end. The expectation is for the new franchises to start competing in the 2028-29 season.
Finally, the NBA announced the selection of Miami Heat owner Micky Arison as the new Board of Governors' president. Arison, also president of Carnival Corporation, will assume the position in September, succeeding Larry Tanenbaum, the Toronto Raptors' owner who had held the presidency since 2017.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Adam Silver espera cerrar este verano la investigación sobre Kawhi Leonard