The 2025 offseason was quietly nearing an end—until September 2, when everything shifted. Investigative journalist Pablo Torre dropped a bombshell, exposing alleged loopholes in Kawhi Leonard’s deal with the Los Angeles Clippers—the very deal that brought him from Toronto after their championship run. Reports claim a $28 million handshake for a “no-show job” at a sham company. But the controversy isn’t limited to Leonard and Clippers ownership, because NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had to come clean on the alleged violation.

And just when you thought that the league’s Commissioner, Adam Silver, wouldn’t take measures, Saturday came in with fresh updates. The NBA insider, Sam Amick, tweeted:

“Source: The NBA has hired the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rose and Katz to investigate the Clippers-Kawhi Leonard situation. This is the same firm that investigated Donald Sterling and Robert Sarver.”

Torre uncovered a paper trail linking him to an allegedly fraudulent tree-planting firm, Aspiration, backed by Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. A staggering $28 million payment to KL2 Aspire LLC, Leonard’s company, is the connection. The firm still owes $7 million after declaring bankruptcy. Employees revealed Leonard never promoted Aspiration, unlike other celebrities, raising an even bigger question.

One worker recalled, “These are the major players and major contracts you really need to be aware of… Oh, and by the way, we also have a marketing deal with Kawhi Leonard. A $28 million organic marketing sponsorship… If I had any questions about it, essentially don’t, because it was to circumvent the salary cap.” They described Leonard’s role as a no-show job.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have hit back at Torre’s report with a firm denial. “Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration,” the organization stated. “Any contrary assertion is provably false.”

What does the company do? Aspiration is a financial services company that positions itself as a “sustainability-as-a-service” provider. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Aspiration offers a range of eco-conscious financial products, including checking and savings accounts, investment options. (The co-founder Joseph Sanbergwas arrested for conspiring to defraud an investment fund of at least $145 Million.)

Well, back in 2019, the NBA investigated the deal, scrutinizing whether the Clippers had lured Leonard with extra perks. Despite the intense probe, officials found no proof of wrongdoing. Now, the story intertwines mystery, millions, and more. Including suspension and a $6 million fine if found guilty.

Meanwhile, as the saga unfolded, Steve Ballmer stepped into ESPN’s studio for a rare, candid moment. He admitted feeling embarrassed, directly confronting the fallout. In a world of millions and high-stakes deals, even a billionaire can show vulnerability. Or, perhaps, it masked a cover-up?

Amidst the Kawhi Leonard drama, Steve Ballmer makes a personal revelation

Even before the Kawhi Leonard drama, Ballmer met with similar allegations while trading for DeAndre Jordan in 2015. Looks like the billionaire boss has yet to learn from his past. The controversy ignited from the Clippers’ July 2 presentation, where officials improperly raised a third-party endorsement. Yet the NBA ruled it had no sway over Jordan, who picked the Mavericks immediately. Sources confirmed he never pursued business, making the debate all about intent, not action.

And the Clippers faced a $250,000 fine for the same. Now, as the Aspiration drama deepens, Steve Ballmer appears on ESPN. While talking on the show about the current events, he made an honest confession. “I reviewed my staff-reviewed primarily fraudulent financials. Should I have sniffed it out? Maybe. I feel embarrassed and kind of silly that I didn’t sniff it out, but I didn’t. I made the investment. A lot of other smart investors didn’t sniff it out either… This was fraud and a bad investment, and I’m embarrassed by that,” he admitted.

Thus, the Clippers’ offseason just became the wildest saga yet. From hidden deals to no-show jobs, the drama stretches from Kawhi Leonard to Steve Ballmer’s past moves. Besides, even the NBA’s top investigators are now in the mix, digging through every layer. Meanwhile, Ballmer’s rare confession adds a human twist to high-stakes chaos. With suspensions, fines, and questions swirling, the story teeters between scandal and spectacle. One thing is clear: in this game, even billionaires can stumble, and secrets rarely stay buried.