The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s free agency, explained

This could be bad, or it could be nothing.

Back in 2019 after Kawhi Leonard helped the Toronto Raptors win their first title in franchise history, it felt like everyone knew he probably wasn’t going to stay.

It was reported that he had always had intentions of going home to LA to play for either the Lakers or the Clippers — we just didn’t know which one. Ultimately, he ended up with the Clippers.

But it allegedly may have come with a bit of improper help, according to recent accusations. The NBA is launching an investigation into the Clippers’ recruitment of Leonard that offseason, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, after a man named Johnny Wilkes claimed Jerry West owed him $2.5 for swaying the All-Star forward their way.

Yup. That’s a lot. Don’t worry. It’s all explained right here.

Wait, what???

Yes, you read that all correctly. The NBA is investigating the Clippers to see if Wilkes had a hand in helping West and the Clippers land Leonard in 2019 after he left the Raptors.

Wilkes is claiming that he was promised $2.5 million from the organization for information on Leonard that would’ve helped them recruit him.

Alright. Who is Johnny Wilkes?

Wilkes claims to be best friends with Kawhi Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, who is also his agent. He also claims to be fairly close with Kawhi Leonard himself. He and Robertson were high school basketball teammates.

Why is Wilkes suing the Clippers?

Wilkes says that Jerry West had an oral agreement with him to pay $2.5 million to pass on information about Kawhi Leonard to help the team recruit him in free agency.

He said that he informed West that he was close to Leonard in April of 2019, according to a report from ESPN, and that he could provide them with pivotal information to recruit Leonard. He also said that he got to work recruiting Leonard for the Clippers as soon as the Raptors won a title in 2019.

What information is he saying he gave the Clippers?

Wilkes claims he told the Clippers they could sell Leonard on four separate points.

First, they needed to trade for Paul George to get Leonard to sign with them. Second, they had to promise Kawhi that he’d have a great life as a Clipper and they’d take care of him after basketball. Third, they had to promise to do whatever it takes to beat LeBron James. And, finally, they’d have to fund a $100 million marketing campaign for Leonard that included getting his uncle a house in Southern California with a travel expense.

Wait, a house for his uncle? Wasn’t that a thing before?

It was! The NBA actually investigated that last year, Amick reports. The investigation didn’t turn anything up, but they did say they’d reopen it if there were any further leads that came forward. This might be considered one of those leads.

Have the Clippers said anything about this?

Yes. The Clippers say the lawsuit is filled with “inaccuracies and baseless allegations.” They released a statement condemning it.

Has Kawhi said anything?

He says Wilkes had absolutely nothing to do with him coming to the Clippers.

He basically hit us with the Keke Palmer “I don’t know this man.”

So what happens if the NBA finds Wilkes is telling the truth?

Well, we don’t really know. But it certainly won’t be good. It looks like the Clippers may have violated the NBA’s “Other Indirect Contact” free agency rule, per ESPN.

“The NBA’s investigation would pertain to “Other Indirect Contact” as detailed under Article 35A (3) of the NBA constitution, which “prohibits indirect communications, such as those made through intermediaries.” The Clippers could be fined up to $10 million and lose draft picks if they are found to have violated the rule.”

So, yeah, Clippers fans. This could get bad, or it could be nothing.