Steph Curry Has Made Feelings Clear on Kawhi Leonard amid $28m Salary Cap Violation Claims
Steph Curry has made his feelings clear on Kawhi Leonard amid claims of a $28 million salary cap violation involving the Los Angeles Clippers.
Leonard, who is widely regarded as one of the NBA's best two-way players, has been at the centre of widespread speculation over a potential breach in the league's rules around pay.
According to journalist Pablo Torre, documents suggest that the NBA star has been improperly paid by his franchise.
The allegations centre around a company called Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, which Clippers owner Steve Ballmer had previously invested $50 million into.
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Several former Aspiration employees, speaking anonymously to Torre, allege that the four-year $28 million endorsement deal that Leonard signed in 2022 was designed to circumvent the salary cap.
Although the Clippers have denied any wrongdoing, the allegations have sent shockwaves through the sport.
Golden State Warriors icon Steph Curry is a huge fan of Leonard and previously praised him as an 'all-time great player' who the sport needs.
The pair were set to play together for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but Leonard had to withdraw due to inflammation in his right knee.
Last summer, Curry said, "Kawhi gave it everything he had when he was preparing.
"And those last three days of camp, there was, you know, conversation mutually between USAB leadership and Kawhi and his team just to make sure he was set up for success.
"I mean, obviously, they're tough decisions and I know he wanted to play, but it's one of those things where, you know, he wishes luck and wanted us to go get the goal.
"And you love that kind of support from a guy that's in a tough situation like that.
"But, hopefully for the long term, you know, he's in a good place because the game needs him.
"And when he's not out there, you know, you miss an all-time great player."
Speculation continues over what could happen if the NBA determines that the Clippers violated league rules.
The NBA has hired a New York-based law firm to investigate the allegations.
Sam Amick, who is a senior NBA writer for The Athletic, said the league could cancel Leonard's contract if the claims are proven.
He also added that executives could face suspensions.
Amick said that the alleged actions by the Clippers go against the principles NBA commissioner Adam Silver has prioritised, as they are both unfair and lack transparency.
For Leonard, who is a two-time NBA champion with titles at both the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors, the scandal could overshadow the final years of his career.
Topics: NBA, Steph Curry , Basketball
James Taylor