Adam Silver speaks on Kawhi Leonard controversy, NBA All-Star Game
- The Los Angeles Clippers are under NBA investigation for allegedly circumventing the salary cap.
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the investigation is ongoing but provided no timetable for its completion.
- Silver stated the league is not considering moving the 2026 All-Star Game from the Clippers’ arena.
A few weeks ago, the NBA went ablaze with allegations of the Los Angeles Clippers circumventing the NBA salary cap by paying star Kawhi Leonard with a no-show deal from a now-bankrupt company, Aspiration, in which Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer invested.
This potentially egregious navigation of the NBA’s salary rules and subsequent penalties will not be taken lightly. The NBA is currently investigating the matter with the mighty hammer of justice yet to bonk the Clippers on the head. Such a devious way around the NBA salary cap has never been seen before, meaning the ruling and penalties that the team will face will be a landmark case for the NBA moving forward.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the allegations facing the Clippers on Monday from NBC Sports headquarters. Here’s what he said on the matter.
Adam Silver statements on Kawhi Leonard, Clippers controversy
Silver did not give much of an update on the Leonard controversy itself, only noting that the NBA is still investigating the matter. He provided no timetable regarding when the investigation may be completed.
Will this affect the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?
With this upcoming season’s All-Star Game set to take place at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers, there was speculation that the league could move the game as a penalty for the Leonard situation.
Silver shut down those rumors. He said, ‘There’s no contemplation of moving the All-Star game, and planning for the All-Star game and the surrounding activities are operating completely independently of the ongoing investigation.’
Steve Ballmer’s response
Ballmer has denied any knowledge of the situation, claiming he was ‘duped.’
On Sep. 5, Ballmer made an appearance on ESPN, claiming that he was unaware of the court documents that had originally linked Aspiration to Kawhi Leonard.
A few weeks later, the Clippers made a statement of their own, addressing the situation and Ballmer’s involvement with Aspiration. It read, ‘This effort reflects Steve wanting to set a positive example and raise awareness of the growing and important role of voluntary carbon markets. Unfortunately, he was duped on the investment and on some parts of this agreement, as were many other investors and employees.’
