The NBA has refuted allegations presented in a recent ESPN report regarding the league’s inquiry into the actions of Los Angeles Clippers owner, Steve Ballmer. According to the ESPN article released on Monday, three sources claimed that the NBA had not discovered any proof indicating that Ballmer utilized team sponsors to compensate Kawhi Leonard as a means to evade the salary cap.
The report suggested that instead of focusing on monetary transactions, the NBA is examining whether the Clippers’ promotion of Leonard to team sponsors breaches the league’s regulations prohibiting salary cap manipulation. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass responded to the ESPN article on Monday afternoon, stating that it contained numerous inaccuracies.
Bass’s statement assured that the outcome of the NBA’s investigation will be disclosed upon its conclusion. Meanwhile, a potential trade involving Leonard between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors has been halted pending the league’s decision on potential penalties.