The Toronto Raptors' agreed-upon trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that will bring Kawhi Leonard back to Canada and send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple first-round picks to California is on hold, per Shams Charania. Both sides are waiting for the NBA's investigation into Leonard and his alleged ties to Aspiration to conclude.
Even though both sides want to get this deal done — and Charania himself said that he expects this trade to get finalized fairly soon — the NBA is informing the Raptors that they would "assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi."
As if the Raptors weren't punched in the gut enough when Leonard decided to leave for the Clippers. Now, the league has ruled that Toronto could be punished as harshly, if not more so, than Los Angeles for possible foul deeds conducted when Kawhi was on the Clippers.
Logically, how does that make any sense, Adam Silver?
Raptors may get punished for Clippers' Aspiration scandal in Kawhi Leonard trade
The Clippers have faced multiple lawsuits related to their dealings with Leonard in the past, including the current Aspiration one. Even if the Raptors accept the possibility of a Leonard suspension, the fact that the Clippers may not get hit with the league's biggest hammer would make NBA Commissioner Adam Silver look unprepared in how to mete out justice.
In essence, the Clippers could possibly circumvent the salary cap to pull Leonard away from the Raptors, send him away if any potential wrongdoing is found, and stick the same team they stole him from with the bulk of the penalties. Fining a multi-billionaire like Ballmer a nominal amount of money does nothing; individual millions matter not one iota to him.
In addition to Leonard, Ingram and Dick remain in limbo, along with the status of multiple prized picks. The investigation, which has been going on for the better part of a year despite repeated claims that it is close to a resolution, and the league's failure to deliver clarity on it, has thrown multiple offseason plans into disorder.
The equitable solution for all parties should involve Leonard accepting a short suspension if he is found to have broken any bylaws and the Clippers incurring any sort of financial or competitive penalties. Putting all or most of this on Toronto is unfair, and it would be quite a stain on Silver's league if something like that goes through.
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