Leonard return to Raptors on hold pending Clippers probe

Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto is on hold pending conclusion of the NBA's probe of whether the LA Clippers skirted salary cap rules by paying him through a phony endorsement deal.

"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 a statement on Thursday.

"In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete."

The Clippers and Raptors had agreed a trade on June 30 that would send Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, back to Toronto, where he won a title in 2019.

The Clippers would get All-star forward Brandon Ingram, backup guard Gradey Dick and first-round draft selections in 2031 and 2033 in the proposed deal.

Leonard, a seven-time All-Star who also won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points per game.

But his season was clouded by the investigation, which was launched in September after allegations that Leonard's $28 million endorsement contract with the now-bankrupt company Aspiration was merely a means of providing indirect payments to circumvent the salary cap.

The Clippers, their owner Steve Ballmer and Leonard have denied wrongdoing, and the NBA has given no timetable for an end to the probe.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in June that his instruction to the law firm handling the probe had been "we can't be investigating forever.

"At some point we have to wrap it up. But at the same time, the most important thing is that we get it right," Silver said.

The Clippers issued a statement on Thursday saying the team "did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration."

The Clippers said they remain confident they will be exonerated and the trade will go through, and the Raptors said they hoped to see that happen.

“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.

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© Agence France-Presse