Steve Ballmer, co-owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, reiterates his unyielding denial of accusations that the team has skirted salary cap restrictions involving Kawhi Leonard.

Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, has denied allegations of circumventing the NBA salary cap with star player Kawhi Leonard. An investigative journalist, Pablo Torre, reported that Ballmer used a $50 million investment in a company, Aspiration, to facilitate a $28 million "no-show" deal for Leonard.

However, Ballmer asserts that Leonard and Aspiration weren't introduced until months after Leonard signed his four-year max contract in August of 2021. He claims that Aspiration paid Kawhi Leonard $28 million with no expectation of return. Ballmer maintains that he had no role in greasing the wheels on a deal between Leonard and Aspiration, and had no control over the company's decision-making.

The now-bankrupt company, Aspiration, is currently under investigation for fraud. Ballmer admits feeling embarrassed by the Aspiration situation and claims documents provided to the Department of Justice prove Leonard didn't meet anyone within the company until November of that year.

The NBA is investigating the matter due to potential cap circumvention rules violation. It's worth noting that the league found no evidence to support the accusations against Dennis Robertson, Leonard's uncle and adviser, in 2019. Robertson was previously investigated by the NBA for allegedly seeking impermissible benefits.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Ballmer maintains that the Clippers have always conducted their business in a legal manner. Leonard is still owed $7 million from Aspiration, according to court filings. The star player is set to make $50 million in the 2025-26 season as part of his current contract.

Questions around Leonard and his camp are back due to the Aspiration scandal. However, Ballmer asserts that there was no opportunity for cap circumvention as the deals were already locked and loaded before the introduction of Leonard to Aspiration. The payment order for Kawhi Leonard at the now-bankrupt company was created by a person named Justin Kade Jones.

Leonard signed a three-year extension with the Clippers in January of 2024, committing his future to the team. Despite the controversy, Ballmer remains optimistic about the team's prospects, emphasising their commitment to both on-court success and ethical business practices.

Steve Ballmer, co-owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, reiterates his unyielding denial of accusations that the team has skirted salary cap restrictions involving Kawhi Leonard.