NBA reportedly lacked sufficient evidence to suspend Kawhi Leonard for role in Clippers' investigation

In the wake of the NBA's investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap when they signed Kawhi Leonard , one major question has emerged: Did Leonard get off light?

After months of looking into the situation, the NBA finally released its judgement in September. The Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer got the worst of the league's punishment. The team was docked five future first-round picks and Ballmer was fined $30 million and suspended from team activities for a year.

Leonard, meanwhile, received a $700,000 fine. He was not suspended, nor did he have his contract voided, as a result of the NBA's investigation.

Why? Because the NBA reportedly did not have enough evidence to make that move, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

As Charania explained, any attempt by the NBA to suspend Leonard or void his contract would be subject to a battle with the NBPA. Because of that, the league needed to have ironclad evidence in order for a suspension or voiding his contract to actually go through. The NBA apparently did not have that, resulting in Leonard simply receiving a fine for his involvement in the scandal.

That decision didn't sit right with some around the game. Former Clippers player Danilo Gallinari , who was traded due to Leonard signing with the team, took Leonard to task during a podcast appearance, saying Leonard should donate $50 million to charity for his actions. He wasn't the only one who had questions about the severity of Leonard's punishment .

With Leonard free to play at the start of the 2026-27 NBA season, the Clippers and Toronto Raptors agreed to follow through on their offseason trade involving Leonard. The 35-year-old was initially traded back to the Raptors in June, but that trade was put on hold due to the ongoing NBA investigation. Days after the NBA's punishment came down, both teams agreed to complete the deal .

Barring any new evidence, Leonard appears good to go when the Raptors open the 2026-27 NBA season against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21. He'll still have to shell out $700,000 for his role in the Clippers' scandal, but that's hardly a concern for a player who's made over $375 million during his career.