NBA refutes report it lacks evidence in Kawhi Leonard probe

The NBA is refuting an ESPN report that claims the league lacks evidence in its investigation into allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers paid Kawhi Leonard beyond the salary cap through sponsorship deals, according to ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., Baxter Holmes, and Ramona Shelburne. ESPN reported Monday that the NBA is still investigating whether Leonard's introduction to team sponsors violated rules against circumventing the salary cap and if the Clippers failed to supervise their employees.

The Clippers and NBA are reportedly negotiating a resolution to the investigation, with talks described as "spirited" by a source. Shortly after the ESPN report, the NBA released a statement on social media stating the article contained "numerous and significant inaccuracies" and that the results will be clear once the investigation concludes.

The NBA did not specify which parts of the report were inaccurate. ESPN responded, stating they stand by their reporting, which included numerous attempts to get comment from the NBA. The investigation's findings could determine the fate of an agreed-upon trade sending Leonard from the Clippers to the Toronto Raptors, which was paused in July pending the probe's result.

Initial findings were presented to the Clippers in late July, and the Clippers have denied breaking any rules, stating they introduced players to companies with which they had business relationships and did not negotiate or dictate the terms of Leonard's endorsement deals. The investigation has been ongoing for 11 months since reporter Pablo Torre revealed alleged no-show sponsorship deals between Leonard and environmental bank Aspiration and Daktronics, the Clippers' scoreboard maker.