Raptors’ Trade With Clippers For Kawhi Leonard On Hold Until NBA Concludes Aspiration Inquiry
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Raptors' Trade With Clippers For Kawhi Leonard On Hold Until NBA Concludes Aspiration Inquiry A trade between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard has been put on hold until the NBA concludes its investigation into a potential cap circumvention involving Aspiration.
The Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard from the Clippers for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first round picks, one pick swap and two second rounders. The two first round picks are unprotected in 2031 and 2033 with the first round pick swap in 2027. The Raptors will send second round picks to the Clippers in 2030 and 2033.
The league office informed the Raptors that they would assume any risk for a potential punishment of Leonard that could impact his contract and his availability. The Raptors have also been in extension talks with Leonard, which was a major driving force of the trade as the Clippers had signaled they didn't have interest in a long-term contract.
The Clippers released the following statement in response:
"For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency.
"On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors' ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi's contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.
"At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
"We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues.
"We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing."
The Raptors said they "remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans."
A trade between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard has been put on hold until the NBA concludes its investigation into a potential cap circumvention involving Aspiration.
The Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard from the Clippers for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first round picks, one pick swap and two second rounders. The two first round picks are unprotected in 2031 and 2033 with the first round pick swap in 2027. The Raptors will send second round picks to the Clippers in 2030 and 2033.
The league office informed the Raptors that they would assume any risk for a potential punishment of Leonard that could impact his contract and his availability. The Raptors have also been in extension talks with Leonard, which was a major driving force of the trade as the Clippers had signaled they didn’t have interest in a long-term contract.
The Clippers released the following statement in response:
“For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency.
“On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors’ ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.
“At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
“We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues.
“We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.”
The Raptors said they “remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.”
