07/09/26 02:17:00
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07/09 14:16 CDT Raptors and Clippers put trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold,
pending end of NBA investigation
Raptors and Clippers put trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold, pending end of NBA
investigation
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
Kawhi Leonard's trade to Toronto is on hold pending the outcome of the NBA's
investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented salary cap
rules, the Raptors announced Thursday.
"The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing
investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential
outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi," the Raptors said. "In light of
this, we will wait until the league's investigation is complete."
There is no timetable for the conclusion of the NBA's probe, which is being
performed by outside counsel. The league had no immediate comment Thursday.
The NBA opened an investigation back in September into whether a $28 million
endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC --- a
company that filed for bankruptcy earlier this year --- broke league rules,
following a report by journalist Pablo Torre.
"The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a
swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans," the Raptors
said.
The Raptors and Clippers struck a deal earlier this month on a trade that would
send Leonard back to the city that helped win the 2019 NBA championship.
The Raptors agreed to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft
picks, two second-round picks and pick swaps to the Clippers for Leonard ---
who spent one season in Toronto, and that was the year the Raptors won their
lone title.
He turned 35 earlier this month but is coming off the highest-scoring season of
his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Clippers in 65 games.
Leonard is a seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA
champion (also winning in 2014 with San Antonio) and is generally considered
one of the game's top defensive players.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
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