Kawhi Leonard has spoken publicly for the first time about the NBA’s investigation into his endorsement agreement with Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, insisting that neither he nor the Los Angeles Clippers broke any rules.
“The NBA is going to do their job. None of us did no wrongdoing and that’s it,” Leonard said during Clippers media day in Inglewood on Monday. “It’s not going to be a distraction for me or the rest of the team.”
Earlier this month, journalist Pablo Torre reported allegations that Leonard’s $28 million deal with the now-bankrupt California sustainability firm may have violated the league’s salary cap rules. The NBA has since brought in an outside firm to run the investigation.
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank issued a firm denial.
“We’re eager for the truth to come out,” Frank said in a statement. “The assumptions and conclusions that have been made are disappointing and upsetting, and we expect the investigation will show that these allegations are wrong.”
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer previously invested $50 million into Aspiration, and the franchise announced a $300 million partnership with the company in 2021. That partnership ended two years later when Aspiration defaulted on its contract. Prosecutors later said Aspiration’s co-founder Joseph Sanberg defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million.
“I’m hurt for Steve. He’s one of the best people and most honorable people I’ve ever met,” Frank added. “He does things the right way for the right reasons and he constantly reminds us to stay on the right side of the rules.”
Aspiration reportedly owed Leonard about $7 million when it went bankrupt.
“I got to look back at the books,” Leonard said, “but it was more than that, for sure.” When asked if he received any of the remaining balance, he replied, “Uh, no, but the company went belly up. It was fraud as everyone knows.”
As for suggestions that Leonard was paid without fulfilling obligations, he pushed back.
“I don’t think it’s accurate,” he said. “It’s old. This is all new to you guys. The company went bankrupt awhile ago so we already knew this was going to happen.”
Leonard made it clear his focus is elsewhere.
“I don’t read headlines or new conspiracy theories or anything like that,” he said. “I’m focused on the season.”
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