The NBA has refuted allegations presented in an ESPN report concerning the investigation of Los Angeles Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer. According to ESPN’s Monday morning publication, three sources mentioned that the NBA did not uncover any proof indicating that Ballmer used team sponsors to compensate Kawhi Leonard secretly, evading salary cap regulations. The report suggested that the NBA is examining whether the Clippers’ actions in introducing Leonard to team sponsors breached the league’s regulations against circumventing salary caps.
NBA representative Mike Bass released a statement on Monday afternoon criticizing the ESPN article, stating that it contains numerous factual errors. Bass further mentioned that the outcomes of the NBA’s inquiry will be disclosed upon its conclusion. A potential trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors, involving Leonard, has been halted pending the league’s decision on potential penalties.