NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Kawhi Leonard is not going to Toronto yet.
Last week, Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a trade that would send him to the Toronto Raptors, where he won a championship in 2019. However, the trade would be on hold until the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers is complete.
Leonard is accused of receiving unofficial money in an apparent sponsorship deal to help the Clippers skirt the salary cap.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers watches the first half of the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Climate Pledge Arena on October 3, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
“Over the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents and facilitating access to our staff. Although the process has been difficult, we have remained committed to transparency,” the Clippers said in a statement to ESPN.
“On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors ownership group assumes the risk of sanctions related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation.
“The investigation is ongoing and we hope the agreement will be finalized once concluded.”
In the statement, the Clippers denied any wrongdoing.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
LEBRON JAMES NEXT TEAM ODDS: FAVORITE RIDERS; HEAT, WARRIORS IN MIX
“We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions and business partners, we were victims of fraud initiated by [Aspiration co-founder Joe] Sanberg, who was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison,” the team said.
“We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues. We remain confident that, when the facts are fairly and thoroughly evaluated, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said all along: we did not do what we are accused of doing.”
The Raptors told ESPN they would “assume the risk of any potential outcome” of the investigation and “wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”
“The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a quick resolution for our players, our organization and our fans,” they said.
Leonard remains under contract through 2027 and is expected to make more than $50 million next season. He also reportedly hopes to sign a two-year extension worth $126.1 million that would allow him to finish his career in Canada.
Kawhi Leonard, center, of the LA Clippers, watches from the bench in street clothes against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
The Raptors agreed to part ways with forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two future first-round picks, a swap of first-round picks and two second-round picks.
