Kawhi Leonard remains at the heart of an NBA investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving the Los Angeles Clippers, Aspiration, and most recently, Daktronics.
Meanwhile, reports about Leonard’s 2019 free agent discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers have resurfaced, sparking reactions across the NBA community.
Kawhi Leonard-Lakers Free Agency Drama Sparks Fresh NBA Discussion
In a 2019 article, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that many experts across the league, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, felt Leonard’s move to the Lakers was very much possible.
During the three days after their meeting with Leonard, his uncle Dennis Robertson, and ex-agent Mitch Frankel, some of the Lakers’ most influential decision-makers closely monitored the situation.
The franchise was concerned that waiting on Leonard could hurt them elsewhere in free agency if he ultimately chose another team.
Then, the news emerged that Leonard had decided to join the Clippers.
Amick reported that teams were aware that Robertson had requested several benefits as part of Leonard potentially joining a team. These included partial ownership, access to a private plane at all times, a house, and a guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement income.
A source familiar with the talks between Leonard’s camp and the Lakers said Robertson reiterated requests to Jeanie Buss, who made it clear that the requested benefits were against league rules and would not be considered.
Legion Hoops brought the discussion back into the spotlight this week.
“TRENDING: During 2019 free agency, Kawhi Leonard and his team reportedly requested several illegal incentives from ex-Lakers’ owner Jeanie Buss…Insane.”
TRENDING: During 2019 free agency, Kawhi Leonard and his team reportedly requested several illegal incentives from ex-Lakers’ owner Jeanie Buss.
Jeanie immediately informed Kawhi’s uncle and agent, Dennis Robertson, that these demands violated the NBA’s CBA, Buss rejected them… pic.twitter.com/qUbzjcMA5Y
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 8, 2026
The resurfaced discussion sparked plenty of reactions across the NBA world.
“We all thought Kawhi was this innocent dude,” Sleeper Hoops wrote.
“Leonard’s two goals are to making the most money possible and to play the least amount possible. It’s pretty shameful. He’s literally the opposite of ‘for the love of the game’” Maze Moore wrote.
“We acted like we didn’t see it on the news back in 2019. They asked for a private Heli, a house, and much more,” F/M Football wrote.
“Lock this thug up, I’m so happy he didn’t come to LA and we won without him,” a fan said.
Amick also reported that Robertson reportedly questioned why Lakers legend Magic Johnson had previously been given a small ownership stake in the team.
Buss explained that the two situations were completely different, saying that Johnson’s arrangement was legal while the requests being made by Leonard’s camp were not. At the time, she became convinced that the Lakers were being used as leverage to help Leonard secure a better deal from the Clippers.
That may remain a point of frustration for many, while several people across the NBA world praised the Lakers for refusing to meet the alleged demands.
“Good on the Lakers for standing up for principles. Also, the likelihood is very high that the Lakers are the team that ratted them out,” NBA Hoops Online wrote.
Good on the Lakers for standing up for principals. Also, the likelihood is very high that the Lakers are the team that ratted them out.
— NBA Hoops Online (@NBABoards) August 8, 2026
“Major W by Jeanie,” Lakers Lead tweeted.
The Lakers may now feel fortunate that they did not land Leonard, especially as the Clippers have reportedly been under investigation since September over a $28 million endorsement deal Leonard received from Aspiration.
This now-bankrupt environmental company previously sponsored the team.
Leonard reportedly received millions through another previously undisclosed sponsorship agreement, according to last week’s report from the “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast.
Torre reported that Leonard had an unknown deal with Daktronics, the company behind the Intuit Dome’s Halo video screen.
