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.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday after returning from hand surgery.
The 28-year-old fully participated in practice on Tuesday despite recently fracturing the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand.
He was observed completing light shooting and dribbling drills while wearing a protective black wrap over his wrist.
Reports indicate the backup center has now been cleared to play, providing a significant boost to the Eastern Conference champions.
Providing crucial frontcourt depth
The returning big man has been a reliable physical presence during this postseason run, appearing in 13 of his team’s 14 playoff fixtures.
Operating primarily off the bench, he has averaged 5.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in just over 14 minutes per game.
His only absence came during Game 2 of the sweeping series victory over the Philadelphia 76ers due to a brief illness.
Ending a decades-long drought
New York are preparing for their first appearance on basketball’s grandest stage since a defeat to the Spurs in 1999.
The historic franchise is desperately seeking to secure a first NBA championship since 1973.
Having maximum depth will be vital as they attempt to overcome a formidable San Antonio squad in the best-of-seven series.
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have turned to legendary former coach Gregg Popovich for guidance as they prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.
The Texas franchise recently secured their spot in the championship series following an emotional Game 7 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Upon landing back in San Antonio, Wembanyama made it an immediate priority to seek out his former mentor.
“I saw Pop right away when we landed,” Wembanyama said.
“The emotion was something I haven’t felt in a while. Coming back down from this is a challenge. We still need to really come back down to Earth and realize we haven’t done the hardest task yet.”
A lasting legacy at the Spurs
Popovich’s remarkable coaching career effectively ended last November after he suffered a stroke.
However, the 77-year-old remains a daily fixture at the Victory Capital Performance Center following his rehabilitation sessions.
These recovery workouts are notably led by five-time champion and Hall of Fame forward Tim Duncan.
Spurs Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson emphasised the immense respect the squad still holds for the veteran tactician.
“When Popovich enters a room, you shut the f— up,” Johnson said.
Championship pedigree providing an edge
Current head coach Mitch Johnson, who took interim charge following Popovich’s health scare, continues to appreciate the ongoing tutelage.
The current boss originally guided the team through 77 games during a challenging transition period last season.
Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox highlighted that the roster benefits from an entire building filled with basketball royalty.
Legends such as Manu Ginobili, David Robinson and Sean Elliott are frequently present during shootarounds and practice sessions.
“It’s a lot of people walking through this building that have been there and done that,” Fox explained.
“You can ask them anything. Obviously, Pop is going to come in. He’s going to speak his mind.”
This wealth of institutional knowledge could prove vital as the current generation attempts to capture the ultimate prize.
The Oklahoma City Thunder face unprecedented financial decisions this summer following their dramatic Game 7 playoff defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, with ballooning player salaries threatening to trigger a massive luxury tax bill.
A back-and-forth Western Conference finals series culminated in heartbreak for the top seeds on Saturday night.
Following the loss, star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about his potential involvement in future roster construction.
“I will give zero input.”
“I will let Sam Presti, the greatest GM ever, do his job.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Presti’s proven track record
Such unwavering player trust reflects the unique stability enjoyed by the franchise under their long-serving general manager.
Presti is currently completing his 19th season at the helm, having originally taken charge of the Seattle SuperSonics at the age of 31.
Through astute drafting and shrewd trades, the executive has constructed two separate championship-calibre squads in one of the NBA’s smallest markets.
This latest iteration achieved elite status rapidly, becoming just the sixth team since 1983 to secure the number one seed in three consecutive campaigns.
Their most recent playoff run was ultimately hampered by an injury to crucial forward Jalen Williams, severely impacting their chances of reaching another NBA Finals.
Rising costs of a budding dynasty
Sustained success on the basketball court inevitably leads to escalating financial commitments off it.
Ownership now faces a critical juncture regarding how much they are willing to spend to keep this optimised roster intact.
Lucrative contract extensions for 2022 lottery picks Williams and Chet Holmgren are set to take effect during the 2026-27 season.
The highly-rated duo will both see their annual salaries rocket to $41.5m, firmly establishing them as cornerstones of the franchise.
Looming roster decisions
Immediate uncertainties also surround several key supporting players heading into the offseason.
Isaiah Hartenstein, an instrumental addition to their recent championship-winning campaign, holds a team option worth $28.5m for next year.
Meanwhile, long-serving defensive specialist Luguentz Dort carries an $18.2m team option of his own.
The overall team payroll sat at a highly manageable $186.7m this year, keeping the organisation safely below the tax threshold for a sixth straight season.
However, projected salaries for the upcoming campaign currently sit at an eye-watering $250.5m before any free agency moves are even considered.
Surpassing the NBA’s punitive second apron would trigger a severe luxury tax penalty estimated at more than $200m.
New York Knicks fans are paying more than $4,000 for NBA Finals tickets at Madison Square Garden as demand outstrips recent Super Bowl prices.
The Eastern Conference champions are preparing to host their first championship series game in 27 years.
This historic drought has created a frantic and highly competitive market for seats in Manhattan.
A severe scarcity of supply means the cheapest entry for Game 3 currently hovers around the $4,000 mark.
Prices for a potential Game 6 at the iconic venue could soar beyond a staggering $5,300.
San Antonio market cools despite Wembanyama draw
The skyrocketing costs in New York stand in stark contrast to the ticketing situation in Texas.
Entry fees for the opening games in San Antonio have plummeted by nearly 50 per cent following an initial post-victory surge.
Industry experts suggest that prohibitive travel expenses are preventing many travelling supporters from making the journey south.
However, the presence of rising superstar Victor Wembanyama ensures the series remains a blockbuster global attraction.
Surpassing the Super Bowl and UFC
Current market trends indicate that watching the New York franchise will cost more than attending either of the last two Super Bowls.
Organisers are actively attempting to keep passes out of the hands of professional resellers to prioritise genuine supporters.
The sheer financial cost of this series completely dwarfs other major combat and sporting events scheduled for this year.
Even Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated UFC 329 return commands an entry fee of just $1,432, which is less than half the cost of a seat at the Garden.
High-profile attendees expected
The immense cultural gravity of the team returning to the sport’s biggest stage is guaranteed to draw a star-studded crowd.
President Donald Trump recently claimed he was personally invited to attend the event by team owner James Dolan.
Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for orchestrating a $248m wire fraud scheme involving his bankrupt green banking company, an entity currently under NBA investigation regarding its sponsorship of the LA Clippers.
The Los Angeles-based executive previously pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud after deceiving investors and systematically falsifying banking records.
Federal prosecutors had initially sought an 18-year term, while the defence unsuccessfully argued for a punishment involving no prison time.
‘Among the worst I’ve ever seen’
Presiding Judge Stephen V. Wilson comprehensively rejected the notion that the fraudster acted without malice or personal financial gain.
“This case has touched almost every badge of fraud.”
The veteran magistrate, who has served on the federal bench since 1985, described the financial crimes as existing at the absolute zenith of deception.
“[Sanberg] portrays himself as a do-gooder who was in business to help the world, but he did personally gain from his fraud.”
NBA investigation and lucrative sponsorships
The disgraced businessman co-founded the environmentally conscious digital bank in 2013, attracting celebrity backers and securing major corporate partnerships.
His company aggressively entered the sports market, announcing a massive $300m (£236m) 23-year endorsement agreement with the LA Clippers in September 2021.
That monumental franchise agreement was subsequently followed by an individual $28m (£22m) sponsorship deal with star forward Kawhi Leonard in April 2022.
These lucrative sporting arrangements have since triggered an ongoing NBA investigation into the bankrupt firm’s financial dealings with the Western Conference franchise.
Tearful courtroom apology
Before receiving his lengthy sentence in downtown Los Angeles, the former digital banking pioneer addressed his victims directly.
“I accept that I lost my moral compass and wrongly stepped over the line, and I’m very sorry.”
Defence attorney Marc Mukasey had attempted to paint his client as a well-meaning altruist whose zeal for company success led to terrible judgement.
However, the court ultimately concluded that the California native had become callous and greedy, leaving a trail of profound financial damage across the industry.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has signed a 10-year endorsement contract with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning, concluding his highly publicised sneaker free agency.
The 36-year-old four-time NBA champion officially announced the landmark agreement on Monday.
This new partnership will globally expand his personal brand venture, covering basketball products, athleisure wear, and a complete golf line.
It also grants the legendary shooter the unprecedented ability to sign both male and female athletes to his own imprint.
Departing a long-time sponsor
The two-time Most Valuable Player departed his previous sponsor, Under Armour, in November following a 13-year relationship.
Industry sources indicated the split followed growing frustration over underinvestment from the American manufacturer.
Since ending that mutual partnership, the veteran playmaker has been the most sought-after figure in the global sportswear market.
He was notably spotted wearing rival footwear during pre-game warm-ups in San Antonio before testing various other brands over the subsequent months.
Choosing a new direction
The franchise icon ultimately selected the Chinese company over several competing pitches from both domestic and international rivals.
Comfort played a pivotal role in his final decision after he extensively tested footwear endorsed by other high-profile athletes.
He specifically trialled signature shoes worn by his new Golden State team-mate Jimmy Butler and basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade.
Agent Jeff Austin finalised the lucrative negotiations in recent days, although exact financial terms remain undisclosed.
The ambitious agreement includes immediate plans to build dedicated retail stores across the United States and China.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo could be traded before the upcoming NBA draft if he remains uncommitted to a new $275m contract extension.
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player has two years remaining on his current deal and becomes eligible to sign a lucrative four-year extension on 1 October.
However, recent changes to the collective bargaining agreement have accelerated extension timelines across the league.
Bucks prepare for potential exit
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam has admitted the franchise must secure substantial assets if their talisman decides to play elsewhere.
“I just think before the draft is a natural time,” Haslam said regarding a potential transfer.
The Greek international holds a $62.8m player option for the 2026-27 season.
If he declines to verbally commit to remaining in Wisconsin, the team is expected to explore the trade market.
“If Giannis does play somewhere else, we’ve got to have a lot of assets,” Haslam added.
A summer of lucrative deals
More than 100 players are eligible for extensions in the coming months.
Fellow superstars Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic and Donovan Mitchell are among those negotiating their long-term futures.
The eight-time All-Star insists he will assess his options carefully before making a final commitment.
“I haven’t been offered an extension, so, if that is on the table, then I will try to make the best decision for me and my family,” he stated.
Under current regulations, an average of 31 players per season have agreed early extensions to secure guaranteed money.