The Toronto Raptors made headlines on June 30 by trading for Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard, instrumental in the Raptors’ first NBA title victory in 2019, was involved in an offseason trade that had fans buzzing. In return, the Clippers received Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks. However, the trade has hit a snag due to an ongoing NBA investigation.
The trade is pending as the NBA investigates Leonard’s $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-defunct ‘green banking’ firm. The investigation seeks to determine if the deal compromised the league’s salary cap rules. Leonard reportedly had ties to Aspiration through Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who invested $60 million in the company.
Since September 2025, the NBA has employed law firm Wachtell Lipton to conduct an in-depth review. The focal point is whether the endorsement was legitimate or a method to circumvent salary cap restrictions. Recently, Mike Vorkunov from The Athletic shared that the investigation has expanded beyond Aspiration. Investigators are now examining if the Clippers covered Leonard’s expenses without reimbursement and if Leonard had undisclosed deals with other firms.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed the desire for a swift resolution, stating it should conclude ‘this summer’ before the next season commences. Silver acknowledged the prolonged nature of the investigation, attributing delays to legal hurdles, including bankruptcy proceedings and uncooperative witnesses.
Silver clarified during the NBA’s Board of Governors meeting that the league did not halt the trade. The decision to pause came from the trading parties due to the open investigation. Commissioner Silver indicated that any risk linked to Leonard’s contract was already known, and interested teams had sought and received clarity from the league before proposing the trade.
Silver stated the league’s general counsel receives regular updates from the investigating law firm, yet no conclusions have been reached. He assured that the league remains committed to resolving the matter efficiently.
The situation leaves the Raptors in a precarious position, with hopes that the NBA investigation concludes favorably, allowing the trade to proceed.