The NBA and ESPN have found themselves at loggerheads over a report regarding the ongoing Clippers investigation.
The NBA is investigating Kawhi Leonard and his team the LA Clippers over allegations that the star player was able to circumvent salary cap rules. An ESPN report, which cited multiple sources close to the matter, claimed the NBA had found "no evidence" to suggest Clippers owner Steve Ballmer "funneled money to Leonard via sponsors."
“contains numerous and significant inaccuracies”
Within an hour of that report surfacing, the NBA had fired back. NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass released a statement on X saying ESPN's article "contains numerous and significant inaccuracies." Bass said that the full results of the probe "would be made clear once the investigation is concluded."
Despite the rebuttal from the NBA, odds for Leonard to make it to the Toronto Raptors are at their highest point since the deal was signed on June 30, at 92% with Kalshi. The investigation began after Toronto and LA had agreed to a deal in principle, and Raptors fans have been concerned that it could affect the return of the player who helped them win a Championship in 2019.
The investigation is tied to a $28m endorsement agreement Leonard signed with "green-banking" firm Aspiration in 2022. Leonard's situation seemed to worsen recently when journalist Pablo Torre revealed a separate hidden deal with Daktronics, a scoreboard company. This report coincided with a drop in the odds of Leonard making it to the Raptors, descending to just 53% on August 7.
Odds surged back up once again after a report from HoopsHype, which claimed Leonard could not be suspended for circumventing the salary cap, as per NBA rules.