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Toronto Raptors: Can NBA investigation on Kawhi Leonard return him to Toronto?

By Jason Mills

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 11: Kyle Lowry (L) of the Toronto Raptors presents Kawhi Leonard (R) of the Los Angeles Clippers with his Championship Ring prior to an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 11: Kyle Lowry (L) of the Toronto Raptors presents Kawhi Leonard (R) of the Los Angeles Clippers with his Championship Ring prior to an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on December 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Jerry West (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) /

Jerry West’s Legacy in the NBA

Jerry West has a long, highly decorated career in the NBA, first as a player for 14 years and then as an executive who has helped build the dynasty that was the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s and into the 1990s.

West is, as an NBA executive, an eight-time champion, and two-time executive of the year. When he was a  player, he was a 14-time all-star NBA champion in 1972, NBA Scoring Champion in 1970, and NBA Finals MVP in 1969. He was also named to the 35th and 50th-anniversary teams of the NBA, and his #44 is retired by the Los Angeles Lakers.

In recent years, he has worked for the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and then signed with the Los Angeles Clippers on June 14, 2017, as an executive board member. West is also the person whom the NBA logo’s silhouette represents.

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NBA logo (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

West was also responsible for the 1996 trade that allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire the rights of the late great and sure-fire Hall-of-Famer Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets.

One of the most distinguished names in the NBA could be tarnished if any of the Johnny Wilkes allegations are true. In a statement to TMZ and reported by the Los Angele Times, a representative stated on West’s behalf:

"“I deny engaging in any improper conduct in connection with the signing of Kawhi Leonard,”"

For his part, Kawhi Leonard denies any wrongdoing as well, claiming that:

"“I’m from L.A. and I grew up here my whole life. And out here, people try to find any way to get some money. It probably won’t be the last. I know a lot of people out here.”"

What weakens the denials coming from the Clippers camp is a recently leaked voice mail in which Jerry West, if it is him, thanks Wilkes for his help and refers to the Los Angeles Lakers, a potential Leonard suitor in 2019, as a “s****show.”

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