Adam Silver urges swift conclusion to LA Clippers salary cap probe
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has urged an independent law firm to swiftly conclude its investigation into the LA Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention involving star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Speaking ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio, the league’s top executive confirmed the lengthy probe is drawing to a close.
The inquiry, managed independently by legal firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, began last September.
Focus on endorsement deals
Investigators are examining whether the Western Conference franchise bypassed financial regulations by funnelling money to Leonard.
This centres around the two-time NBA champion’s $28m endorsement agreement with green banking company Aspiration.
The now-bankrupt firm also held a massive $300m sponsorship contract with the basketball team.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who personally invested heavily in Aspiration, has consistently denied any knowledge or orchestration of the player’s individual deal.
Recent legal developments
The corporate saga took a dramatic turn on Monday when Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in prison for wire fraud.
Despite the heightened public scrutiny following this conviction, Silver insists his final judgement will remain strictly evidence-based.
“My job is to follow the facts, and what essentially happens here is that findings will be made by this independent firm.”
The commissioner added that the franchise and the rest of the league urgently need clarity on the situation.
“Their team has to understand what the situation is they’re going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams.”
Tackling lottery tanking
Alongside the ongoing disciplinary review, the league has also addressed controversial team-building strategies.
The NBA’s Board of Governors recently passed proposed reforms to the draft lottery system designed to curb deliberate losing.
Silver expressed surprise at how rapidly ‘tanking’ had become widely accepted behaviour across the sport.