In a fate befitting Uncle Dennis, the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto has hit a road block. Per Shams Charania
“Developing: The Los Angeles Clippers-Toronto Raptors trade centered on Kawhi Leonard will not be complete until
the NBA investigation into the Clippers is over. Statement from the Clippers to ESPN:
For 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. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency.
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 penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.
At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
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 evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.“
The Raptors are going to await the results of the report before finalizing the trade, which means Kawhi could stay with the Clippers for the foreseeable future. Whether he will play or stay unavailable pending the trade remains to be seen. If the investigation concludes in the next few weeks, the transition could be smooth. But what sort of logjam is created in the event this report drags into the 2026-2027 season?
For one, the Clippers were set to pick up Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick as players on the squad. Additionally, there were unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 pick swap, and two second-round picks going into the Clippers’ coffers, which have otherwise been depleted over the past few years.
And then there is Leonard. If he is absolved of wrongdoing, will he still be all right going to Toronto knowing the organization postponed the deal because of his possible role in the Aspiration scandal? In other words, is holding off going to develop into resentment or bad blood between The Klaw and the only team he seemed comfortable joining?
This story is developing and will be updated as it unfolds.
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