NBA investigation involving Kawhi Leonard takes major turn

The NBA investigation regarding the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard might not come to an end anytime soon.

On Wednesday, ESPN insider Baxter Holmes revealed that this investigation could “drag” into 2027.

“The NBA investigation into whether the LA Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard could drag into 2027 if the parties don’t agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team,” Holmes wrote.

Holmes adds that if the two sides can’t agree on a settlement, the case will head to a “neutral arbitrator who is jointly appointed by the NBA and the NBPA.”

The Toronto Raptors had agreed to acquire Leonard in a trade with the Clippers, but Toronto decided to put it on hold until the investigation was completed.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league didn’t pause the trade, but the Raptors did as they waited for things to be finalized. Silver also added that it is a complicated investigation and he said that it has gone on much longer than anybody thought, and he understands why there is so much frustration.

“And at the same time, we want to be able to answer to our teams and our fans and to all of you that this is comprehensive and that to the best of our ability, we’ve discerned what actually happened in this situation,” Silver said, via Baxter Holmes.

Right now, there is no end in sight, and it could be next year before something gets finalized on the investigation.