Toronto Raptors Wiretap

The NBA's investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention will conclude before the start of next season, according to commissioner Adam Silver.

"This [investigation] needs to be wrapped up before the beginning of next season," Silver said on Tuesday. "It's going on longer than I would have hoped, there's no question about that."

It was also reported earlier Tuesday that the investigation expanded into a potential unreported endorsement with a second company.

Silver attributed the length of the ongoing investigation to legal complications, including dealing with bankruptcy courts.

Silver then added that the league did not interfere with the potential trade between the Clippers and Raptors that included Leonard.

"The league did not pause the trade," Silver said. "The parties to the trade made a decision not to go forward given that the investigation remained open. Any possible impact on Kawhi or his contract was yet to be known. They chose not to live with that uncertainty. That was well known before the trade was proposed.

"I don't think there's any reason for people to believe that the status of Kawhi Leonard would change merely because he was traded."

The investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers has expanded in scope. Not only has Wachtell Lipton investigated whether there was a possible cap circumvention through a sponsorship deal with Aspiration, but also the possibility of improperly covered expenses by the Clippers for Leonard and a previously unreported endorsement deal with another company.

The Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in June, but that deal is on hold until the NBA's investigation is complete. 

Steve Ballmer and the Clippers have denied any wrongdoing.

"We don't think that there’s a ‘there’ there,” National Basketball Players Association executive director David Kelly said. "It should not take this long in order for something to get wrapped up.”

Leonard had an endorsement contract with Aspiration worth $28 million until the company ran into financial issues. Former Aspiration employees that have spoken with The Athletic still do not know definitively whether the deal was intended to bypass the salary cap.

The deal with the Clippers and a relationship with Ballmer was driven by co-founder Joe Sanberg.

Leonard and his uncle, Dennis Robertson, have been interviewed by the Watchtell lawyers. 

The Los Angeles Clippers operated under the belief that the NBA's ongoing investigation into alleged cap impropriety involving Kawhi Leonard and business sponsor Aspiration would not affect the completion of his trade. That impression shaped weeks of trade discussions before the Clippers agreed to terms with the Toronto Raptors.

The league later informed the Raptors that any sanctions tied to Leonard personally would fall solely on them, separate from any penalties the Clippers may still face. 

Possible sanctions against Leonard could include a suspension or, in a worst-case scenario, voiding the remaining $50.3 million on his contract.

One source briefed on the process said Toronto had an understanding of the potential risk attached to acquiring Leonard before trade terms were verbally agreed. Toronto declined to comment beyond its Thursday statement when asked to respond Friday.

The proposed deal would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft capital to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard.

Leonard and the Raptors plan on signing an extension after the trade becomes official, which could now be several weeks away after the NBA's findings on Aspiration are finalized. 

A trade between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard has been put on hold until the NBA concludes its investigation into a potential cap circumvention involving Aspiration.

The Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard from the Clippers for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first round picks, one pick swap and two second rounders. The two first round picks are unprotected in 2031 and 2033 with the first round pick swap in 2027. The Raptors will send second round picks to the Clippers in 2030 and 2033.

The league office informed the Raptors that they would assume any risk for a potential punishment of Leonard that could impact his contract and his availability. The Raptors have also been in extension talks with Leonard, which was a major driving force of the trade as the Clippers had signaled they didn't have interest in a long-term contract. 

The Clippers released the following statement in response:

“For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency.

"On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors' ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.

"At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

"We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues.

"We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.”

The Raptors said they "remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans."

The NBA Board of Governors will meet in Las Vegas next week amid Summer League, but a resolution still appears to be a few weeks out.

“We don’t have a specific timeline for the conclusion of the investigation but expect the firm to finalize its work in the coming weeks," said an NBA spokesperson to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Stephen Silas is set to join Darko Rajakovic's staff with the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach.

Silas was previously the head coach of the Rockets for three seasons and had a stint as a lead assistant on Monty Williams' staff with the Pistons.

Mike Batiste nor James Wade are expected to return to Rajakovic's staff this upcoming season. 

Kyle Lowry fulfilled a longstanding pledge Tuesday, signing a one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors to close out his 20-year NBA career with the franchise, the team announced via social media.

Lowry chose July 7 for the announcement, a nod to his No. 7 jersey with the Raptors.

Lowry becomes one of just 12 players in league history to complete 20 NBA seasons. He spent nine of those years with Toronto, where he earned all six of his All-Star selections and helped deliver the franchise's first championship in 2019.

"Thank you to my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my opponents, the staff, the media and especially the fans," said Lowry. "It's all about you. I appreciate you. Thank you. Thank you, Toronto. Thank you, Canada. And as I always told y'all, it's officially happening. I'm retiring as a Toronto Raptor, 20 years and 1 day. Seven forever. I love y'all. Peace."

Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds during his tenure with Toronto. The Philadelphia native entered the league in 2006 after playing collegiately at Villanova, going 24th overall to the Memphis Grizzlies.

He spent his final active season with the Philadelphia 76ers, appearing in 14 games before officially calling it a career in Toronto.

"This was home," said Lowry. "Home is a feeling. It's a comfort. It's a place that you continue wanting to be there. Over and over again. It's a place where you feel like you just belong."

Lowry also played for the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat during his career. He finished with career averages of 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists, ranking 14th in NBA history with 2,209 made three-pointers.

Kawhi Leonard has brought in new representation as he and the Toronto Raptors prepare to open contract extension discussions this week.

Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports will now handle negotiations for Leonard, replacing longtime representatives Mitch Frankel and Dennis Robertson. Gaines, who has served as Leonard's business attorney over the past year, is scheduled to meet with Raptors officials in Toronto in the coming days. Gaines doesn't currently represent any other NBA players, but formerly represented Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball. 

The talks follow the Los Angeles Clippers' agreement to trade Leonard to Toronto on June 30 in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round swap and two second-round picks.

Leonard has one season and $50.3 million remaining on his current deal. Leonard will be eligible for a two-year extension worth up to $123.7 million.

Sources said Leonard made clear during trade discussions that he would only sign an extension with Toronto, a stance that discouraged other suitors, including th Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, from pursuing him without assurance of a long-term commitment.

Leonard previously led the Raptors to the 2019 championship, earning Finals MVP honors after averaging 28.5 points per game against the Golden State Warriors. Leonard left the Raptors in free agency that summer to sign with the Clippers. 

Familiarity with Toronto's front office, now overseen by executive vice president Bobby Webster, factored into Leonard's openness to the move. Leonard also values the city and believes the Raptors can compete in the Eastern Conference, with sources adding he envisions finishing his career there.

Separately, the Clippers remain under NBA investigation regarding whether the team circumvented the salary cap through Leonard's endorsement arrangement with Aspiration. Leonard and Robertson have both been interviewed by league investigators, sources said.

The Toronto Raptors agreed to a two-way contract with Jaden Bradley, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Bradley, the Big 12 Player of the Year, was the No. 50 pick in the 2026 draft.

Kyle Anderson and the Toronto Raptors have agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal.

Anderson split time last season with the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves, appearing in 43 games and averaging 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 19.8 minutes.

Anderson will be playing in his age-33 season.

Darko Rajakovic and the Toronto Raptors have signed a multi-year contract extension. The Raptors returned to the playoffs for the first time under Rajakovic in 2026 and hope to take another step forward following their acquisition of Kawhi Leonard.

“Darko’s strong development philosophy and commitment to a team-first culture shine through on a daily basis,” Bobby Webster said in a statement. “We’ve seen these qualities play out on the court — our team plays hard, plays together, and fights until the end. Darko knows there’s more to be done, and we’re looking forward to seeing the continued growth of this team.”

Rajakovic was hired by the Raptors in 2023 to replace Nick Nurse as head coach.

Rajakovic had previously served as assistant coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.