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LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers enter the 2025-26 season with expectations of being an NBA title contender coming out of the Western Conference.
While the veteran-laden team prepares to start training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the headlines surrounding the Clippers involve Leonard, team owner Steve Ballmer and an ongoing NBA investigation concerning the team’s alleged role in facilitating a $28 million “no-show” endorsement for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.
In his first public comments since the league opened the investigation, Leonard denied any wrongdoing.
“It’s easy, for us, it’s nothing to hide,” Leonard said. “It’s no wrongdoing there. So we’re just going to keep going as any other season. My name might pop up but it is what it is. I’ve been through times like this before.
“Just going through the year last year, going through the (Los Angeles wildfire). Soon as I came back, that first game, my house and my community caught on fire. I don’t think it’s going to be harder than that.”
Ballmer did not speak to the media on Monday, but Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, spoke on behalf of the team.
“There is no gray area,” Frank said about the investigation. “There are no shortcuts. It’s clear what we are allowed to do. … We are eager for the whole picture to come out, and we are confident in what they will show.”
Both Leonard and Frank mentioned during their media availability that they welcome the NBA to do the investigation.
Leonard also mentioned that he’s not allowing himself to be distracted by the situation.
Leonard admitted that he wasn’t surprised by all that’s currently happening, saying: “This is old. This is just all new to you guys. That company went bankrupt a while ago.”
With Leonard as the player at the center of the situation, Frank said the six-time All-Star’s role hasn’t changed much.
The star forward averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 37 games played last season.
Investigative reporter Pablo Torre released the latest episode in his podcast series regarding the Clippers just hours before the team’s media day. In the episode, he provided context and aligned the movement of money between Ballmer, Aspiration founder Joseph Sanberg and Leonard.
He also detailed the various requests made by Leonard’s representatives Mitch Frankel and Dennis Robertson, who is Leonard’s uncle.
Lawrence was asked if he had any of those experiences dealing with Robertson’s reported demands.
“Dennis knows the rules,” Lawrence said. “Kawhi knows the rules. Mitch Frankel knows the rules and we know the rules.”