The NBA’s investigation into potential salary cap violations involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers has concluded. For the past year, the league scrutinized the team for allegedly providing Leonard off-court income through corporate partners like Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance.

The investigation revealed that these were indeed illicit arrangements, leading the NBA to impose significant penalties on the Clippers. The team received a $30 million fine and was stripped of five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033. Additionally, team owner Steve Ballmer faces a one-year suspension from team and league activities.

Kawhi Leonard himself was fined $700,000 for the rule violations, though his contract with the Clippers was neither voided nor was he suspended. This decision left the status of the Clippers-Raptors trade in doubt.

ESPN’s Shams Charania clarified the situation on SportsCenter, indicating that both teams expect the trade to proceed as originally planned. This trade involves multiple first-round picks and swaps, primarily benefiting the Clippers.

Charania highlighted Leonard’s accountability for the situation while acknowledging the union’s position that he was exploited by a business associate. This associate, known as “Uncle Dennis” and Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, has been banned for five years from any business dealings involving the NBA.

Raptors fans have eagerly anticipated Leonard’s potential return to Toronto, after he played a key role in their championship win in 2019. Expectations are high with Leonard potentially joining Toronto’s core team, which includes promising talents like Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.

The trade would see Leonard moving to Toronto and Brandon Ingram, among others, heading to the Clippers. With the investigation now resolved, both teams can finalize this deal.