How LA Clippers and NBPA could force new twist in Kawhi Leonard – Aspiration investigation

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The LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard are currently under investigation over a possible circumvention of the salary cap rules.

Since the scandal broke last year, the NBA has been conducting an independent investigation into the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard over allegations of salary cap circumvention.

However, even though this investigation is still ongoing, both the LA Clippers and the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association) have plans to escalate the matter further.

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NBPA and LA Clippers will seek independent arbitration if investigation doesn’t find sufficient evidence​

According to a report by Baxter Holmes of ESPN, sources close to the LA Clippers and the NBPA are going to be keeping an eye on the investigation into Kawhi Leonard.

Should they feel that there has not been enough evidence presented to justify punishing Leonard and the Clippers, the NBPA will force the issue into independent arbitration.

“The NBA investigation into whether the LA Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard could drag into 2027 if the parties don’t agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team, sources with knowledge of the case told ESPN on Wednesday.

“Sources close to the NBPA with knowledge of the investigation said the union wouldn’t hesitate to take the matter to arbitration if the NBA sought penalties without sufficient evidence proving the claim that the Clippers have denied since the league’s probe began nearly 10 months ago.”

NBPA could move for lenient punishment if Kawhi Leonard and LA Clippers are found guilty​

Sources also told Holmes that the NBPA will try to move for a disciplinary process that won’t head to arbitration if there is sufficient evidence presented to suggest guilt towards Leonard and the Clippers.

“If the NBA presented indisputable circumvention evidence after an investigation that began in last September after a series of podcasts from Pablo Torre, then those sources suggested a process could follow that avoids arbitration with all sides agreeing on both the finding and the potential discipline.”

Currently, the investigation being conducted by Wachtell Lipton, an independent law firm in New York, has been ongoing since September of 2025.

There is no word on when the investigation will be concluded and what the result of this investigation will be.

Read more:

• LA Clippers remain ‘adamant’ they did not break NBA salary cap rules in Kawhi Leonard signing
• Kawhi Leonard’s potential second Clippers side deal alongside Aspiration scandal revealed
• How Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is linked to the NBA’s second investigation into Kawhi Leonard

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