Mark Cuban has stepped into the spotlight to defend Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and star forward Kawhi Leonard after fresh controversy erupted, per SI. A recent investigative report from journalist Pablo Torre suggested the franchise may have skirted NBA salary cap rules by channeling extra money to Leonard through an endorsement deal with the failed sustainability company Aspiration.

Cuban, who now holds a minority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, didn’t hesitate to clap back. On social media, he declared, “I’m on Team Ballmer,” before dismantling the idea that Ballmer orchestrated any scheme. Cuban argued that no owner in his right mind would risk his franchise or personal reputation by tying illegal payments to a company that later collapsed into bankruptcy.

“They

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