The NBA has raised objections to assertions presented in an ESPN piece regarding the league’s inquiry into Los Angeles Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer. According to ESPN’s publication on Monday morning, citing three sources, the NBA uncovered no proof indicating that Ballmer used team sponsors to compensate Kawhi Leonard in an effort to evade the salary cap.
The article implied that the NBA is instead examining whether the team’s showcasing of Leonard to sponsors breaches the league’s regulations against circumventing the salary cap. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass refuted the ESPN article in a statement released on Monday afternoon, stating that it contains several significant inaccuracies. Bass mentioned that the outcomes of the NBA’s investigation will be disclosed upon completion.
A transaction between L.A. and the Toronto Raptors concerning Leonard has been halted pending the league’s determination on potential penalties.