Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard on endorsement ordeal: None of us did anything wrong

Kawhi Leonard broke his silence Monday on the NBA’s investigation into his endorsement deal with a bankrupt California company — and made it clear he doesn’t believe he or the Clippers did anything wrong.

“The NBA is going to do their job,” Leonard told reporters at Clippers media day. “None of us did no wrongdoing and that’s it. It’s not going to be a distraction for me or the rest of the team.”

The investigation stems from a Pablo Torre Finds Out report earlier this month alleging that the Clippers violated league salary cap rules through a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC.

The sustainability services company, once touted as a major partner of the team, has since gone bankrupt. The league has hired an outside firm to run the investigation.

According to Leonard, Aspiration still owes him money — roughly $7 million, though he suggested the number may be higher.

“I got to look back at the books,” he said. “But it was more than that, for sure.”

When asked directly if he received what he was owed, Leonard replied, “Uh, no, but the company went belly up. It was fraud as everyone knows.”

Leonard also pushed back on claims that he did nothing in exchange for the payments.

“I don’t think it’s accurate,” he said. “It’s old. This is all new to you guys. The company went bankrupt a while ago, so we already knew this was going to happen.”

Clippers push back

Team president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank read a prepared statement defending the organization.

“We’re eager for the truth to come out,” Frank said. “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 invested $50 million in Aspiration, and the team announced a $300 million partnership with the company in 2021 — roughly a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension. Frank described Ballmer as “one of the best and most honorable people I’ve ever met” and emphasized the team’s commitment to staying within league rules.

Aspiration’s co-founder Joseph Sanberg agreed to plead guilty in August to federal wire fraud charges, with prosecutors saying he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million. “Let’s not forget,” Frank said, “this was a case of widespread fraud and there were a lot of different victims.”

What’s at stake

The NBA previously investigated Leonard’s free agency several years ago amid claims that his camp sought perks that would violate cap rules. This time, Leonard’s uncle Dennis Robertson is under scrutiny for his role in the endorsement deal.

Frank dismissed the idea that anyone involved had overstepped.

“Dennis knows the rules, Kawhi knows the rules, Mitch Frankel knows the rules and we know the rules,” Frank said, referring to Leonard’s agent.

Potential penalties for cap circumvention can be severe: fines up to $7.5 million, the voiding of contracts, and the loss of future draft picks.

“The accusations made against us are serious and they don’t line up with my experience, my reality,” Frank said. “We’re very confident in what [the investigation] will show.”

Leonard, meanwhile, is focused on basketball. The Clippers open camp Tuesday at their new Intuit Dome arena.

“I don’t read headlines or new conspiracy theories or anything like that,” he said.