The NBA hired law firm Wachtell Lipton nearly a year ago to investigate a multimillion-dollar endorsement agreement between Leonard and Aspiration, an environmental company that has since filed for bankruptcy. <\/p>\n
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Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n The investigation centres on whether the endorsement was used to provide Leonard with additional compensation outside of his NBA contract.<\/p>\n According to a report from The Athletic\u2019s Mike Vorkunov<\/a>, the scope of the investigation has expanded beyond the original allegations.<\/p>\n Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play during the first quarter of the NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n The report states investigators are now examining whether Leonard had another previously undisclosed endorsement agreement with a separate company, as well as whether the Clippers improperly covered expenses on Leonard\u2019s behalf without being reimbursed.<\/p>\n The proposed trade, first reported on June 30, would see Leonard return to the franchise where he delivered the 2019 NBA Championship.<\/p>\n In exchange, the Clippers would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round selections in 2030 and 2033, and a 2027 first-round pick swap.<\/p>\n However, both franchises have agreed to delay completing the deal until the NBA reaches its findings.<\/p>\n There remains optimism around the league that the trade will still go ahead, with both organisations reportedly believing any potential penalties are unlikely to derail the agreement.<\/p>\n NBA commissioner Adam Silver reiterated this week that the investigation is expected to conclude during the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cMy timeline remains this summer,\u201d Silver said <\/p>\n \u201c… I\u2019m not conducting the investigation \u2026 as I\u2019ve said previously, we all have an interest in wrapping this up, and I most recently said in an interview that I am hopeful it will wrap up this summer and that will continue to be the goal here.\u201d<\/p>\n Silver also clarified that the NBA did not instruct either team to delay the transaction.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to clarify that the league did not pause the trade,\u201d Silver said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe parties involved in the trade decided not to move forward, given that the investigation remained open and any potential impact on Kawhi or his contract was yet to be known, so they chose not to live with that uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that all parties understood before the trade was agreed to that Leonard\u2019s status in the investigation would remain unchanged regardless of where he played.<\/p>\n If the investigation results in significant disciplinary action against Leonard, the Raptors could still choose to walk away from the deal before it is officially completed.<\/p>\n League executives increasingly believe the Clippers could face punishment once the investigation concludes.<\/p>\n