Kawhi Leonard expressed regret over his role in the Los Angeles Clippers' salary-cap circumvention scandal, but he emphasized that he's ready to move forward with the Toronto Raptors.
"Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family," Leonard said in a statement. "I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap.
"For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with," Leonard added. "As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate."
The NBA brought the hammer down on the Clippers on Wednesday after finding that the team used third-party endorsement deals to pay Leonard additional, undisclosed compensation beyond his contract. The league fined the franchise $30 million and revoked five first-round picks beginning in 2029, and suspended owner Steve Ballmer along with two other high-ranking team employees. Additionally, Dennis Robertson, Leonard's uncle and former business manager, is barred from doing business with NBA teams for five years.
Leonard also didn't escape unscathed and received a $700,000 fine. However, his contract won't be voided.
The league's ruling paves the way for the Clippers and Raptors to complete a trade that will send Leonard back to Toronto. In July, the Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a 2027 first-round pick swap. The 35-year-old is expected to sign an extension with the Raptors. Toronto and L.A. agreed to pause the trade while the investigation was ongoing.
Leonard led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship before joining the Clippers in free agency the following summer. He signed an extension with L.A. in 2024, which became the subject of a yearlong cap-circumvention investigation.
Over his six seasons with the Clippers, Leonard averaged 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game and was named to the All-NBA Second Team twice. During his tenure, L.A. made the playoffs four times and reached the Western Conference finals in 2021, though Leonard missed that series due to a knee injury.
