Kawhi Leonard investigation timeline: Why NBA is looking into Clippers, Steve Ballmer over potential salary-cap violations

The NBA is currently investigating the Los Angeles Clippers and team owner Steve Ballmer in connection with potential salary-cap violations related to NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard. This investigation began after The Athletic reported in December 2019 that Leonard's agent, Dennis Robertson, allegedly asked teams for impermissible benefits – including part ownership of a team, a private jet, a house, and guaranteed endorsement money – in exchange for signing Leonard. The league found no evidence to support these allegations.

Months later, in September 2025, journalist Pablo Torre released a podcast episode claiming that the Clippers had paid Leonard $28 million by Aspiration, a company owned by Ballmer. Torre alleged that this arrangement was a way to circumvent the NBA salary cap. The Clippers denied these accusations, stating that it was common for sponsors to negotiate deals with players and that Ballmer and the team had no oversight of Leonard's agreement with Aspiration.

In September 2025, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the investigation, stating that the league would need clear evidence of the Clippers attempting to circumvent the salary cap. Torre continued to provide evidence suggesting that the Clippers had funded payments to Leonard through Aspiration. Ballmer later claimed that he was the victim of fraud by Aspiration and that the Clippers had not been involved in Leonard's negotiations with the company.