On Tuesday, The Athletic‘s Sam Amick reported Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, asked the Lakers and Raptors for partial ownership of the team, a private plane, a house and guaranteed endorsement money — all violations of the collective bargaining agreement if granted. The story presumes the same asks were made of the Clippers, with whom he signed. And Amick reported the NBA investigated those charges to see if the Clippers acquiesced to Robertson’s alleged demands and found no evidence that they had. I asked Leonard about the report at Clippers’ practice on Tuesday. He said, “I don’t know, I didn’t read it, so I don’t know how reliable it is — I don’t have no knowledge of it. I have no knowledge of it. People make up stories every day.” OK. Well, we didn’t make it up. Teams told the league the requests were made. Hence, the investigation. Also, a while back, Canada’s Rogers Sportsnet reported that Leonard made “unrealistic” requests of the Raptors in free agency.
Tag: Uncle Dennis
Rivers said he didn’t read the report, …
Rivers said he didn’t read the report, but, “it’s a pretty empty story. There’s nothing there.” How would he know? Anyway, he also said, “They investigate every year. I don’t know why that is news. Every year, someone signs, there is going to be an investigation. That’s fine. The key is once you’re clear. From what I know, I don’t think we were the only ones. The NBA investigated six teams. I don’t know that. But I know there was more than one. We should. That’s what we have to do and make sure things are done right. The NBA said it was.” I checked with a source in the NBA’s front office. No, six teams were not investigated. The Clippers, on the other hand, were fined $50,000 last year because Rivers compared Leonard to Michael Jordan on TV.
In this particular case, the NBA found …
In this particular case, the NBA found the Clippers are not at fault because they didn’t give Robertson what he’d asked at least two other teams for. But the asks were made. If nothing else, that goes back to the power Leonard and his camp wield in the NBA. Leonard, with his speech delivery — a slow talker — comes off as unassuming. But it’s not how he operates, on the court or off it.
I asked Leonard about the report at …
I asked Leonard about the report at Clippers’ practice on Tuesday. He said, “I don’t know, I didn’t read it, so I don’t know how reliable it is — I don’t have no knowledge of it. I have no knowledge of it. People make up stories every day.” OK. Well, we didn’t make it up. Teams told the league the requests were made. Hence, the investigation. Also, a while back, Canada’s Rogers Sportsnet reported that Leonard made “unrealistic” requests of the Raptors in free agency.
Amick: Lakers refused Uncle Dennis demands, Clippers investigated by NBA
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reports the NBA investigated the Clippers after complaints from the Los Angeles Lakers regarding Kawhi’s uncle.
Christmas Day’s L.A. showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers is almost here, bringing back memories again of the Lakers chase of Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Lakers were reportedly upset with how Leonard’s camp handled things, particularly Leonard’s uncle Dennis Robertson, known more commonly as “Uncle Dennis.” But until now, it’s unclear what the demands were that upset the Lakers so much other than Leonard just deciding he wouldn’t join LeBron James.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick dropped a bombshell on Monday, illustrating the demands Uncle Dennis made of the Lakers that definitely fall outside of the confines of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, which the Lakers refused to give Robertson.
The stories about Robertson’s wish list made their way to the league office soon after Leonard made his decision, with concerned parties reporting that Leonard’s uncle had asked pursuing teams for much, much more than a max contract (Kawhi ultimately signed a three-year, $103 million deal with the Clippers). Sources say the league was told that Robertson asked team officials for part ownership of the team, a private plane that would be available at all times, a house and — last but certainly not least — a guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money that they could expect if Leonard played for their team.
This is incredible stuff and from the looks of it, something that the NBA player’s union doesn’t want to make a habit of. Amick also reported that the NBA conducted an investigation on the Clippers, which didn’t turn up anything illicit, but that the league and union no longer want relatives of players handling negotiations unless they are certified agents.
Most understood the fallout of Leonard’s decision to join the Clippers from a basketball perspective. Even though he’s again had to miss several games to manage a knee injury that appears to be an issue that will follow him for the remainder of his career, many see the Clippers as the biggest obstacle in the way of the Lakers to the NBA Finals. But now we also understand the fallout Leonard’s free-agent negotiations have had on the league behind the scenes.
While people in the NBA and likely LeBron James himself knew what was going on, this all adds to the backdrop for these two teams to play for the second time this season. It will also be the first time the Lakers get a look at the Clippers with both Leonard and Paul George.
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