NBA disputes report detailing potential findings in Clippers’ cap circumvention probe

The NBA is disputing reporting by ESPN that detailed findings of the league’s investigation into possible salary-cap circumvention by the LA Clippers and subsequent settlement negotiations.

“ESPN’s article regarding the LA Clippers investigation — for which the NBA declined to cooperate — contains numerous and significant inaccuracies,” the league statement read. “The results in this matter will be made clear once the investigation is concluded.”

ESPN reported Monday that the NBA found no evidence Clippers owner Steve Ballmer directly funneled money to Kawhi Leonard via team sponsors and that the two sides had been “negotiating a resolution to the investigation.” It is unclear what elements of ESPN’s reporting the NBA is disputing.

The Athletic has reached out to the league office and the National Basketball Players Association for additional comment, and will update this story if either responds.

The Clippers released a statement that read in part, “the Clippers did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard, arrange for others to compensate him on our behalf, or otherwise provide him with undisclosed compensation outside of his NBA contract.”

The NBA’s investigation began in September as an inquiry into whether the Clippers had circumvented the salary cap through a $28 million endorsement deal Kawhi Leonard signed with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental company for which Leonard did no public marketing work.

The investigation has also since examined whether Leonard had another previously unknown endorsement deal with another company, and if the Clippers improperly covered expenses for their star and were not reimbursed for them, according to multiple sources who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely.

Earlier this month, the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast subsequently reported Leonard also had a sponsorship contract with Daktronics, which manufactured the Intuit Dome’s large video screen.

There is no timeline for a resolution to the league’s investigation but NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last month that he hoped the results would be out by the end of the summer and said that the process needed to be complete before the 2026-27 season begins. Now, the end of summer looms close and training camps begin in roughly six weeks.

This story will be updated.