Adam Silver looks the other way while Kawhi Leonard gets paid without playing

The NBA is back under scrutiny, and this time it’s not because of a controversial call or a blockbuster trade. The spotlight is on Kawhi Leonard, the LA Clippers, and most of all, Adam Silver. According to a report published by Sportskeeda, the commissioner allegedly ignored a potential salary cap violation involving indirect payments to the Clippers’ star through a shell company tied to team owner Steve Ballmer.

The story, revealed by journalist Pablo Torre and backed by insider John Gambadoro, suggests that Kawhi Leonard received $7 million annually—totaling $28 million—from KL2 Aspire LLC, a company with no visible activity, linked to Aspiration, a firm in which Ballmer invested $50 million. What’s odd: Leonard wasn’t required to promote the brand, and the contract would only be terminated if he stopped being a Clippers employee. In short, a “no-show job” that smells more like financial maneuvering than legitimate sponsorship. This arrangement was reportedly brought to Adam Silver’s attention.

A complex and controversial situation

What’s most troubling is that, according to Gambadoro, the matter was reported directly to Adam Silver. Yet no immediate action was taken. The justification? Raptors owner Larry Tanenbaum had allegedly tried something similar to keep Kawhi Leonard in Toronto. Offering $15 million in sponsorship deals. Silver reportedly said he’d “take the issue more seriously in the future,” but no concrete sanctions followed.

This story is fascinating. From what I know from sources – when Kawhi signed with the Clippers the Toronto owner Larry Tannebaum was beside himself because he believed he bent over backwards for Kawhi – including calling three sponsors to meet Kawhi’s demand of an extra $15… https://t.co/VVTxvA14Lj

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) September 3, 2025

These kinds of tactics echo the Joe Smith case with the Timberwolves in the 1990s. When then-commissioner David Stern voided contracts, fined the team, and stripped them of five first-round picks. If it’s confirmed that the Clippers broke the rules, the NBA and Adam Silver could face pressure to impose similar penalties—including the possible nullification of Kawhi Leonard’s contract.

Severity of the case

The question hanging in the air is clear: Is Adam Silver willing to apply the same standards his predecessor enforced?. Because if the commissioner chooses to look the other way. The message to the rest of the league could be troubling. It would suggest that star power buys silence, and money bends the rules.

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard remains on the Clippers roster, and the team is gearing up for a new season with high expectations. But the noise off the court could turn into a lingering echo if the NBA and Adam Silver fail to respond decisively.