Toronto Raptors owner set to play unique role in Kawhi Leonard-LA Clippers investigation

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Did Kawhi Leonard’s issues with the LA Clippers and Aspiration play a part in his return to the Toronto Raptors?

Leonard is returning to the Toronto Raptors six years after he led them to their first NBA championship and left for the LA Clippers.

This past year has been marred in controversy for Leonard and the Clippers, as allegations of them using a shell company to pay Leonard and circumvent the salary cap.

Toronto Raptors owner set to adjudicate Steve Ballmer – LA Clippers investigation

According to Pablo Torre, Toronto Raptors owner Larry Tanenbaum is currently the chairman of the NBA’s Board of Governors.

As a result, the ongoing investigation into the LA Clippers, Aspiration, and Kawhi Leonard will be adjudicated and deliberated on by them.

Given the nature of Leonard’s exit from the Raptors the first time, and the controversial nature of the Clippers’ recruitment of Leonard, Tanenbaum having the power to deliver punishment to the Clippers is a real possibility.

In fact, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet, Tanenbaum, as the chairman of the Board of Governors, has total authority on the matter.

“There is a certain irony that for Tanenbaum, one of his last acts as chairman of the NBA’s Board of Governors will be helping decide the fate of Ballmer and the Clippers.

“The long-time Raptors owner is — by the terms of the ownership agreement — obligated to begin the process of selling his remaining 20 per cent stake in MLSE to Rogers Communications (which owns Sportsnet, and a 75 per cent share of MLSE) by July 7, 2026.”

Larry Tanenbaum will have to make tough decision on Kawhi Leonard case

As the chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, Tanenbaum is going to have a front-row seat to the investigation conducted by an independent law firm out of New York.

Once the investigation is complete and the results have been shared with the Board of Governors, Tanenbaum is set to have a voice in what sanctions or punishments are levelled at the Clippers.

One has to wonder whether Leonard’s decision to join the Raptors and the team’s dealings with the Clippers to facilitate this trade will have any impact on the sanctions against the Clippers.

Leonard’s decision to join the Raptors is the latest twist in the saga between him, the LA Clippers, Steve Ballmer and Aspiration, and it could create an even more volatile situation.