Kawhi Leonard's Uncle Reportedly Sought 'No-Show' Deals from Raptors in 2019 Amid Clippers Investigation

The NBA is investigating whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap with a reported 'no-show' endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard in 2021. A new report from the Toronto Star claims Leonard's uncle and representative, Dennis Robertson, sought similar impermissible benefits from the Toronto Raptors during 2019 free agency negotiations. Robertson's requests to the Raptors reportedly included an ownership stake in outside companies and at least $10 million annually in 'no-show' sponsorship income, which the Raptors rejected. This aligns with recent reports that Leonard signed a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt former Clippers sponsor, that required no actual endorsing, with an additional $20 million in stock. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer denies wrongdoing, stating the team only introduced Leonard to Aspiration. The NBA has retained a law firm to investigate.