![\"Memphis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/memphis-grizzlies-v-los-angeles-clippers-los-angeles-california-february-24.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts to being fouled during the first half of a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and\/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Kawhi Leonard<\/a> was only slapped on the wrist by the NBA<\/a> following the resolution of the salary cap scandal involving him and the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The NBA fined Leonard $700,000, but he did not receive a suspension or have his contract voided.\u00a0<\/p>\n The league also hit the Clippers franchise with a $30 million fine and stripped them of five consecutive first-round draft picks spanning from 2029 through 2033. Team owner Steve Ballmer was slapped with a one-year suspension from all league and team activities for knowingly facilitating off-court income opportunities for Leonard through team sponsors.\u00a0<\/p>\n The executive fallout also sidelined president of business operations Gillian Zucker for one year without pay and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months without pay<\/p>\n Clearly, the Clippers got the short end of the stick.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reason Why Kawhi Leonard\u2019s Contract Did Not Get Voided<\/p>\n \n The reason why Kawhi did not get a stiffer punishment relative to the Clippers was that the NBA could not find any solid evidence of Leonard\u2019s involvement in the salary cap circumvention.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey had to have every form of evidence if they were going to go down the path of voiding Kawhi Leonard\u2019s contract or administering a suspension. And when you look at the report, you know, clearly the league didn\u2019t,\u201d Charania said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The NBA didn\u2019t have enough evidence to suspend Kawhi Leonard, per @ShamsCharania<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cThey had to have every form of evidence if they were going to go down the path of voiding Kawhi Leonard\u2019s contract or administering a suspension. And when you look at the report, you know, clearly <\/p>\n The probe, which initially stemmed from journalist Pablo Torre\u2019s reporting on unrecorded endorsement contracts, also resulted in a five-year NBA ban for Leonard\u2019s longtime business adviser and uncle, Dennis Robertson.<\/p>\n The investigation proved that the organization orchestrated unauthorized business opportunities with corporate partners to covertly amplify Leonard\u2019s income outside of his player contract.<\/p>\n The Clippers have since vowed to comply with the NBA penalties. Leonard said he complied mere hours after the resolution was announced.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the legal dispute put to rest, the NBA officially approved and finalized the blockbuster offseason trade sending Leonard to the Toronto Raptors<\/a>, allowing the two-time NBA champion to move forward with the Canadian city.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kawhi Leonard Expected To Sign New Contract With The Raptors<\/p>\n \n Kawhi Leonard is expected to sign a two-year contract extension worth nearly $124 million with the Toronto Raptors following his official return to the franchise on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Leonard is eligible to sign the two-year extension that would earn him over $62 million per season, according to ESPN\u2019s Bobby Marks.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, NBA insider Marc Stein believed it would not take long before the Raptors finally signed Leonard to his two-year contract.<\/p>\n \u201cSafe bet: The wait for Leonard\u2019s expected two-year extension with the Raptors will be a lot shorter than what Toronto and its fans just endured to bring the 2019 NBA Finals MVP back to Canada,\u201d Stein reported on Monday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Leonard has one year and roughly $50.3 million remaining on his current deal for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n Kawhi\u2019s extension would give him premium money until he turns 38 years old.<\/p>\n Leonard is expected to elevate the Raptors into Eastern Conference contenders and anchor their push toward another title following his official return.<\/p>\n In 2019, Leonard led Toronto to its first-ever NBA championship before leaving for the Clippers just two months later.\u00a0<\/p>\n This time, Leonard will be sharing the court with franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes and guard RJ Barrett<\/a> as they look to capture the team\u2019s magic<\/a> in 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tRob Andrew Lo<\/a> Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler.
\t![\"Los](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/los-angeles-clippers-v-dallas-mavericks-dallas-texas-march-21-kawhi.jpg\")
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS \u2013 MARCH 21: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates with a teammate during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> at American Airlines Center on March 21, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins\/Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/toronto-raptors-v-los-angeles-clippers-inglewood-california-march-25-kawhi-1.jpg\")
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA \u2013 MARCH 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against Scottie Barnes<\/a> #4 of the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Intuit Dome on March 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n
\n
\nA Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda.
\n More about Rob Andrew Lo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n