The Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration investigation continues to play out this summer time, holding up his potential commerce to the Toronto Raptors and the power for the LA Clippers to maneuver into their subsequent period.
Sources informed ESPN on Aug. 17 that the NBA has no proof proprietor Steve Ballmer funneled cash to Leonard by way of sponsors, however the investigation is ongoing as coaching camp approaches.
Within the meantime, the Clippers have made strikes across the edges, together with including No. 5 choose Keaton Wagler and signing Rui Hachimura in free company, however their full outlook is unclear till there may be decision within the investigation.
ESPN’s workers of consultants is trying again on the offseason and taking an early take a look at the 2026-27 season for all 30 groups, with 30 items — one for each crew — rolling out every weekday via Sept. 18. We’re answering the most important looming questions, evaluating X components and way more for all 30 groups.
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Offseason at a look
Key additions: Rui Hachimura, Keaton Wagler, Brandon Ingram (TBD), Gradey Dick (TBD)
Key retentions: Kobe Sanders, Bradley Beal
Key subtractions: Kawhi Leonard (TBD), Nicolas Batum, Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins
What began as a reconfiguration on the commerce deadline — buying Darius Garland from Cleveland for James Harden and Bennedict Mathurin from Indiana for Ivica Zubac — was a whole overhaul this summer time after the Clippers let Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nicolas Batum and John Collins stroll.
Their greatest transfer, nonetheless, was buying and selling Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks, however that deal is in limbo pending the investigation into alleged wage cap circumvention by the crew referring to Leonard’s Aspiration endorsement deal.
Within the meantime, LA added Illinois guard Wagler with the No. 5 choose within the draft and signed Hachimura away from the crosstown Lakers with a two-year, $28 million deal. And in a shock transfer, Bradley Beal — after declining his $5.6 million contract possibility for subsequent season in June to check free company — ended up re-signing on a two-year, $13.2 million deal in mid-August to stick with the Clippers. — Dave McMenamin
Zach Kram’s offseason grade: Incomplete
Till the Aspiration investigation concludes, the Clippers and Raptors cannot full their Kawhi Leonard commerce. And till the Clippers and Raptors can full their Leonard commerce, each groups will obtain an “Incomplete” offseason grade. As initially reported, the deal made sense for each side — however as of this writing, we do not know when, or whether or not, it’ll really undergo. — Kram
What we realized over the previous few months
From Ben Golliver’s offseason classes piece: The Clippers are not in denial.
Throughout Leonard’s seven-year Clippers tenure, the two-time Finals MVP earned $293 million in wage, appeared in simply 17 playoff wins and have become embroiled in a wage cap circumvention investigation. Within the easiest phrases: The Clippers have been satisfied Leonard can be a franchise-changing pressure, and he constantly fell quick.
Was Leonard’s time in Los Angeles price all the cash and trouble? The Clippers would possibly nonetheless say sure, however there was little question it was time for the franchise to chart a brand new course this summer time. Leonard, 35, was looking for one other profitable contract extension, although the Clippers have not gained a playoff collection since 2021.
Sadly for the Clippers, they’ve discovered it troublesome to disentangle themselves from Leonard. With the league’s investigation into Leonard nonetheless looming, a commerce settlement that may have despatched him to the Toronto Raptors is presently on maintain.
Whether or not the league punishes Leonard or the Clippers, a much-needed youth motion is underway in Los Angeles. The Clippers traded for Garland final season and landed guard Wagler with the fifth choose; they’re additionally nonetheless hoping to amass Ingram and Dick from the Raptors if the Leonard commerce goes via. Whereas the Clippers’ long-term outlook hasn’t but come into focus, sticking with Leonard was clearly a path to nowhere. — Ben Golliver
The large query: What’s going to occur to Kawhi Leonard?
Regardless of NBA commissioner Adam Silver telling reporters in July that the investigation “must be wrapped up earlier than the start of subsequent season,” sources informed ESPN’s Baxter Holmes that the Leonard investigation might drag into 2027 if the events do not agree on the findings or any proposed settlement and the events go to arbitration.
Whereas the Clippers and the Raptors have made it clear that they plan to finish the deal as soon as the investigation is over, it is laborious to foretell if that stance will change if a harsh punishment — resembling Leonard’s contract being voided or a suspension that would last as long as a 12 months, below the principles of the collective bargaining settlement — is levied. — McMenamin
Basketball Energy Index rank: No. 25
Listed here are the expected Web Factors per 100 possessions for the Clippers’ high seven gamers for the 2026-27 season:
Wagler was the fifth choose within the draft, and he’ll get a whole lot of room to develop. How a lot do high 10 rookies develop of their first 12 months? Sometimes, they’re about +1.1 Web Factors per recreation higher of their final month relative to their first month. — Dean Oliver
Examine how Web Factors works right here.
Greatest X issue
Yanic Konan Niederhauser
It is unclear when Niederhauser will return after present process foot surgical procedure to deal with a Lisfranc fracture in March. However earlier than his damage, the No. 30 choose within the 2025 draft had proven actual flashes: He averaged solely 4.3 factors and a couple of.9 rebounds in his rookie season, however his taking part in time and manufacturing had perked up after the Clippers traded Ivica Zubac midseason.
With 38-year-old Brook Lopez, 2025 second-rounder Johni Broome and the undersized Isaiah Jackson as the one different huge males on the Clippers’ roster, Niederhauser ought to have loads of runway because the Clippers’ heart of the long run if he can get again on the court docket to proceed his growth this season. — Kram
Fantasy perception from our skilled
Fantasy Perception: Wagler’s summer time league play raised some purple flags. He dedicated 17 fouls, recorded simply two steals in 113 minutes and completed with 11 assists in opposition to 9 turnovers. Whereas the No. 5 choose can shoot higher than he confirmed in Las Vegas, the dearth of defensive manufacturing and shaky ball management make him extra of a dynasty stash than a redraft goal this season. — Eric Moody
