NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed his initial thoughts on the murky controversy surrounding Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Speaking during the preseason board of governors meeting in New York, Silver shed light on the bombshell allegations accusing the Clippers of reportedly circumventing the NBA salary cap.
Journalist Pablo Torre earlier revealed that Aspiration, a now-defunct company owned by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, allegedly signed Leonard to a $28 million ‘no-show’ deal, and the move had reportedly been seen as a way to circumvent the league’s cap. Reports also stated that Leonard allegedly received $20 million in shares.
What Did Adam Silver Say About Clippers, Kawhi Leonard Controversy?
Speaking to the 30 owners, including Ballmer, the NBA head honcho broke his silence on the matter.
“When the podcast came out, it was news to me. Frankly, I never heard of the Aspiration before, and I had never heard a whiff of anything earlier around the endorsement deal with Kawhi or anything around engagement with the Los Angeles Clippers,” Silver said.
“It was all new to me. I saw some of the follow-up information. We spoke internally and had a conversation with Steve Ballmer. And something that rose to this level necessitates an investigation.”
The full answer: https://t.co/fK4d7ay9ET pic.twitter.com/x7RgaSEBtC
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 10, 2025
Silver’s statement comes after the NBA announced that it was launching an investigation after the shocking media report. It hired Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to conduct an investigation.
On his part, Ballmer denied all accusations about the Clippers. “I don’t know anything about the court documents on this. I haven’t seen them, and I don’t know,” he told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols in a candid sitdown. The investigation is yet to reveal it’s findings and only time will tell if the franchise is in violation of the NBA’s salary cap regulations.
In related news, the two-time NBA champion made headlines after reports emerged regarding his free agency status in 2019. Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Roberston, had reportedly demanded impermissible benefits from teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to the Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur, Robertson had demanded a share of the NHL franchise Maple Leafs, outside of the sponsorships. He had more demands from the Lakers, which included part ownership of the team, a private jet, a house, and a guaranteed sum of money from off-court sponsorships.
On the season front, all eyes will be on Leonard as he aims to stay healthy and lead LA to a deep run. The six-time NBA All-Star was limited to just 37 games last season, but will hope he can stay in top shape and help the Clippers win their maiden title.
