Kawhi Leonard Probe Deepens, More Investigations Opened

The NBA's investigation into Kawhi Leonard, the LA Clippers, and the alleged cap circumvention scandal has dragged on for 10 months. Now we're learning what's taking so long. Investigations into more wrongdoing are also ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors, who traded for Kawhi recently to return to the team, must continue to wait to see if their deal can be completed.

The NBA is opening a second investigation into Kawhi Leonard as part of the Aspiration probe, per @TheAthletic

“The efforts went so far as to create images, of Leonard as an offshoot of Marvel’s Groot . Aspiration’s purpose was a promise to plant trees to offset carbon… pic.twitter.com/bzK6G9uy9Z

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 14, 2026

Mike Vorkunov writes in The Athletic that the law firm's investigation has grown in scope. 

While the LA Clippers, Leonard and now the Raptors all wait for a conclusion, the investigation has grown in scope since it began, according to multiple sources... Not only has Wachtell Lipton, the league’s go-to law firm hired to conduct the inquiry, inspected if the Clippers circumvented the NBA salary cap by facilitating a sponsorship deal for Leonard with Aspiration, it has also looked into whether the Clippers improperly covered expenses for Leonard but were not reimbursed for them, those sources said. And the firm has examined if Leonard had a previously unreported endorsement deal with another company, those sources said. 

Spurs Reporter Dusty Garza has even warned that the worst-case scenarios could be on the table here, such as his contract being voided.

Just as I reported a few days ago, Leonard and his camp are very fearful that his contract with the Clippers will simply be voided. He will have no choice but to sign with someone new for whatever monies they have under the cap. https://t.co/Ucf1Cpax3o

— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) July 14, 2026

"Just as I reported a few days ago, Leonard and his camp are very fearful that his contract with the Clippers will simply be voided. He will have no choice but to sign with someone new for whatever monies they have under the cap." 

But insider Shams Charania has not heard that:

“The absolute worst-case scenario—which literally no one is expecting— is Kawhi Leonard’s contract being voided, or him being suspended for a significant period of time. Whether it’s 40 games, 20 games or the entire season.. But no one knows. It all comes down to the evidence and what’s found in the investigation. Is there proof Kawhi Leonard had participation in this? To my knowledge, he has denied all of that.”