Just days after the “Team Steve Ballmer” statement, Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban dropped a bombshell warning about Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, amid a swirling controversy involving Kawhi Leonard.
Kawhi Leonard’s Reputation on the Line
Kawhi Leonard has long been admired for staying out of drama. But that reputation may be in jeopardy. Journalist Pablo Torre recently alleged that Leonard accepted $28 million in an illegal endorsement deal, reportedly financed by Ballmer to skirt the NBA salary cap.
Now, Cuban has weighed in, and his comments aren’t soft: if the allegations are true, Ballmer could be facing a career-defining crisis.
Cuban: “If Steve Knew, He’s Toast”
The NBA has strict rules to prevent teams from gaining unfair advantages via salary cap violations. History shows there are serious consequences—remember Joe Smith and the Minnesota Timberwolves? Cuban suggests the Clippers’ case could be even worse.
“If your reporting is right, and Steve knew, then it’s over. He’s toast. It’s far worse than Joe Smith. There’s a good chance that it’d only be the owner at that point in time,” Cuban said on Torre’s podcast.
Cuban also warned that other members of the Clippers’ front office could be in trouble:
“Lawrence Frank [Clippers’ GM] has been through it forever. If he did tell Lawrence and the assistant GMs, they’re f_____ too. Their careers are toast. And there’s a 99 percent chance that at some point it comes out, as they try to protect their careers.”
Kawhi’s Agent and Uncle Could Also Be at Risk
So far, Ballmer has shifted blame to Aspiration, the company allegedly behind the $28 million deal. But Cuban warns that others—including Leonard’s agent and his uncle Dennis—could face major fallout if wrongdoing is confirmed.
“Two, the agent is going to be in deep s___ as well, if it ever comes out. And the agent, he’s got to be involved at some level. And so the agent, I don’t know if what other clients they have, they’re f_____ too,” Cuban explained.
“And so you’ve got a multi-billion dollar franchise at risk, you’ve got the general manager’s job, you’ve got the agent’s job, and you’ve got Uncle Dennis who doesn’t have any leverage.”
NBA Investigation Underway
The NBA has launched an official investigation, and fans are eagerly awaiting answers. Cuban’s warnings make it clear: if the allegations hold, the fallout could hit owners, executives, agents, and family members alike—a scenario that could shake the league.
