statsman wrote:The NBA does not expect to have a resolution on the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention investigation until after the All-Star Game.
The #Clippers host the All-Star Game.
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Well, isn't that convenient.
Convenient, yes. Also could be designed to allow adequate time for investigation.
If NBA is going to make an example of Clips, and I think they have to do that given the additional evidence that has come to light, they would proceed carefully and only after gathering all evidence. They are mindful of the precedent set by discipline. Maybe they are considering rule changes regarding sponsorship and endorsement contracts. Of course the league doesn't want the investigation to hijack attention away from the All Star game. I also think Adam Silver, usually smart but slow to understand what Clips did, now understands what is at stake. It is not the fact that Kawhi negotiated a "no show" provision that is the problem. It is all the money coming into Aspiration from Clips, Ballmer, Wong, etc. at times when the company otherwise couldn't have paid Kawhi. Ballmer and Wong did not act like sophisticated investors (which they are). I suspect the documents show that Aspiration was trying to raise money from many sources, and a lot of people said no based on due diligence. Ballmer and Wong said yes. Why? It is hard to avoid the conclusion it was because of the company's relationship with Kawhi.
I am now firmly in the camp of wanting NBA to drop the hammer on Clips, and I am fine with them taking time for the investigation.
