bleacherreport
Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard spoke publicly on Friday for the first time about the NBA's salary cap circumvention probe that resulted in a substantial fine and his departure from the Los Angeles Clippers during the offseason. In a conversation with David Aldridge of The Athletic, Leonard reflected on the tumultuous period, stating, "It was a long summer. It was kind of expected. I didn't know when it was going to happen. But they made their decision when they did. I just stayed focused."
The investigation, which concluded in September, found the Clippers guilty of circumventing the salary cap through a $28 million endorsement arrangement between Leonard and Aspiration, facilitated by team governor Steve Ballmer. The league imposed severe penalties: a $30 million fine on the franchise, the forfeiture of five future first-round draft picks, and a one-year ban on Ballmer from all team and league activities. Leonard himself was fined $700,000 but avoided suspension, and the prearranged trade sending him to Toronto was completed after the probe ended.
Now 35, Leonard is embarking on his second stint with the Raptors, the team he led to its only NBA championship in 2019. The seven-time All-Star and two-time Finals MVP hinted that his primary objective is to mentor the team's younger core. "That [winning another championship] would top off the career, obviously," Leonard told Aldridge. "But more than that, I just want to help these guys get their mindset together. They've still got a lot of years to play. I just want to leave the stamp with them, just help them get better for when their time comes. They're still 23, 24, 25. Three or four years from now, they're going to still be in their prime. I might not be here. So that's all I want to do, help the team, help the organization. Whether that's winning one, or just helping them carry that over and win one themselves, that's all I want to do."
Key Analysis
Leonard's comments underscore a measured acceptance of the investigation's outcome, as he reiterated his integrity: "I know what type of guy I was. I was honest. And that's all you can do, be honest; just look in the mirror yourself and see if you did anything wrong. Just kept moving forward. Talked to God, my family. I just kept moving forward after that." Despite the off-court turmoil, Leonard remains a formidable on-court presence. He earned All-Star and Second Team All-NBA honors last season while placing seventh in MVP voting, and he has helped the Raptors jump out to a 2-0 start. If he sustains that level of play, Toronto could emerge as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
Originally reported by bleacherreport.