Shams Charania weighs in on Kawhi Leonard, Clippers allegations

However, Torre's report, at this stage, is primarily based on circumstantial evidence.

Shams Charania details the need for proof

ESPN's Shams Charania appeared on SportsCenter to discuss the allegations made against the Clippers and Kawhi. The NBA Insider explained how the NBA's investigation must provide solid proof that any deal between Leonard, the Clippers and Aspiration was designed to work around the restrictions of the salary cap.

“At the heart of it is essentially investigating whether there is hard proof that there were improper back-door payments on behalf of the Clippers or Steve Ballmer to Kawhi Leonard. There has to be hard evidence that proves that,” Charania said. “Circumstantially, there's certain dots you can connect here.”

“For the league to move forward, there has to be hard evidence that would link that there were improper payments or improper funds given on behalf of the Clippers and Steve Ballmer, not just circumstantially. We'll see as this investigation plays out what the NBA discovers, what they have proof of.”

Given the nature of the claims and the investigation that's required, this could be a saga that spans the majority of the upcoming season. 

A dark day for the NBA 

If Torre's report proves to be true, it will be a dark day for the NBA. The current Collective Barganing Agreement is incredibly stringent, with its impact already being felt around the league. You only have to look at the Boston Celtics dismantling a championship roster due to the second luxury tax penalties.

Circumventing those rules to keep a star player is a slippery slope. It removes the parity that Adam Silver has been championing for years. Furthermore, it hurts the NBA's reputation as a fair and honest competition, where everyone is playing on somewhat level footing from a team-building standpoint. 

The Clippers would have had an unfair advantage. Therefore, if proven guilty, Silver must act swiftly. The punishment has to set the tone that the NBA will not tolerate teams operating outside the realm of the salary cap and the agreed-upon rules. Only then will the NBA save some face in this debacle. 

Of course, finding concrete evidence isn't going to be easy. And, if an investigation falls short, new parameters must be implemented to ensure situations like this are avoided in the future. They have to be. It's the only way the NBA can ensure it remains a fair and honest league.