Adam Silver says Clippers probe should wrap up

LAS VEGAS — NBA commissioner Adam Silver reiterated Tuesday evening after the Board of Governors assembly that the investigation into whether or not the Clippers circumvented the wage cap by funneling money to Kawhi Leonard for an endorsement deal he allegedly never fulfilled still isn’t accomplished.

Silver said his “timeline remains this summer” to make his findings recognized after high-powered New York law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz wraps up its investigation and presents the findings to the NBA.

The investigation facilities on a $28-million endorsement deal to Leonard from a company called Aspiration that Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer invested $60 million into.

With the investigation being about 11 months outdated, Silver was requested about a timeline for the NBA to announce the outcomes.

“As you know, I am not conducting the investigation, nor is the league office,” Silver said. “It’s being conducted by the Wachtell law firm, independent of the league. Of course, as I have said previously, we all have an interest in wrapping this up and as I most recently said in an interview, that I’m hopeful that it will wrap up this summer so that will continue to be the goal here.”

The Clippers traded Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a decide swap and two second-round picks. Leonard, who spent the last seven seasons with the Clippers, led the Raptors to the NBA championship in 2019. The Raptors then determined to put the commerce on maintain until the investigation is over.

“And I just want to clarify, so everyone understands, the league did not pause the trade,” Silver said. “The parties that did the trade made the decision not to go forward given that the investigation would remain open and the possible impact on Kawhi or his contract was yet to be known and so they chose not to live with that uncertainty. But, that was well-known before the trade was proposed and I didn’t think there was any reason for people to believe that the status of Kawhi Leonard would change merely because he was traded. The investigation needs to run its course.”

The Clippers have persistently denied any wrongdoing relating to the investigation.

Because of the possible size of the report, Silver was requested about studying such a voluminous quantity of info and if issues could be resolved before the start of next season.

Silver also didn’t speak about whether or not Leonard is being investigated for any other aspect offers.

“I don’t know specifically what will be in the report,” Silver said. “To the best of my information, the report is not done. I do get regular updates from our general counsel, who is Rick Buchanan, and he deals with on a weekly basis on who they are talking to and what they are finding on a preliminary basis. But my understanding is that Wachtell is now in the process of going through the information they’ve gathered and drawing conclusions from that information. And I think, yes, it is realistic to think that this can be wrapped up, and I would say needs to be wrapped up before the beginning of next season.”