Clippers Leveraged Daktronics’ Financial Crisis To Give Kawhi Leonard A ‘Grade A Kickback’ Deal
The NBA's report on the Kawhi Leonard investigation suggests someone on the Clippers tried to take advantage of Daktronics' financial situation.
On April 11, 2025, the Los Angeles Clippers and their star player Kawhi Leonard found themselves in hot water after the NBA announced severe penalties for alleged salary cap violations. The league punished the team with the forfeiture of five first-round picks, a $30 million fine, and suspensions for coaches, executives, and even Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.
NBA senior analyst Brian Windhorst explained that the Clippers had a "tool" in this predicament: their ongoing arena construction project. This project allowed them to forge partnerships with various companies, including Daktronics, a company that faced financial difficulties at the time. Windhorst stated that Daktronics was "highly incentivized" to do business with the Clippers, as the arena project presented an opportunity to secure a lucrative endorsement deal for Leonard.
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