The Kawhi Leonard controversy is showing no signs of fading. The Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer are again under scrutiny after journalist Pablo Torre uncovered fresh details linking Leonard’s endorsement deal with the bankrupt financial services company Aspiration to possible salary cap violations.

According to Torre’s reporting on his “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, a $1.99 million investment in December 2022 by Clippers vice chairman Dennis Wong preceded a $1.75 million payment to Leonard from Aspiration. Records indicate the transaction was marked as “critical” by the struggling company, which laid off employees that same day. Former employees told Torre the timing of Wong’s investment was “beyond shocking,” given that Aspiration was already bleeding money.

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