Kawhi Leonard said Wednesday that he accepts responsibility for “lapses in judgment” by people in his inner circle while maintaining he had no knowledge of any effort to circumvent the NBA salary cap.
Leonard issued the statement through his new agent, Harrison Gaines, as the league’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and outside sponsorship agreements involving the two-time NBA Finals MVP reached its conclusion.
“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am,” Leonard said. “I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.”
Leonard said he entered his Clippers contract and the agreements under scrutiny in good faith.
“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap,” he said.
The NBA opened an investigation after questions emerged about Leonard’s endorsement agreement with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt financial services company that had received investment from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. The league later examined Leonard’s relationships with other companies that also had business ties to the team.
The Clippers denied violating salary-cap rules and have said players and their representatives negotiated outside endorsement agreements independently.
The NBA has handed the Los Angeles Clippers one of the league’s harshest penalties in recent memory after an independent investigation found the organization violated salary-cap circumvention rules. The team was fined $30 million and ordered to forfeit five first-round draft picks—one each in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033.
Team owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year, while President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year unpaid suspension and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months without pay.
According to the NBA, the Clippers improperly helped create and facilitate off-court income opportunities for Leonard with companies doing business with the organization, including Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance. Investigators also found that the team offered business incentives connected to some of those arrangements and paid certain personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives.
Leonard was ordered to pay the league $700,000, while his former business manager, Dennis Robertson, was banned from conducting business with NBA teams for five years. The Clippers will also operate under a league compliance and monitoring program for the next five years.
The loss of five consecutive first-round selections could have the longest-lasting impact, severely limiting the Clippers’ ability to rebuild, make trades, and replenish their roster through the draft. The NBA and Players Association have agreed that the penalties are final and binding.
Leonard, 35, spent the past seven seasons with Los Angeles after leaving Toronto in 2019.
“For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with,” Leonard said. “As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.”
