The Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard are right in the middle of one of the NBA’s biggest controversies in years, and the story just keeps heating up.
It all started when investigative journalist Pablo Torre dropped a bombshell: the Clippers allegedly used a now-defunct company called Aspiration to funnel $28 million to Leonard in what Torre called a “no-show job.” According to the report, Leonard never worked for the company, which has since gone out of business.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has denied any wrongdoing, saying Aspiration acted independently and that he had no direct involvement with Leonard on the matter. Still, the claims have the NBA world buzzing.
Bill Simmons: Shocked by the Sloppiness
One of the loudest voices reacting to the controversy has been Bill Simmons, who admitted he’s floored by how careless the whole scheme sounds.
“I read all this stuff and the way it was laid out, it was pretty damning,” Simmons said on his podcast. “This was so sloppy that it almost makes me think—knowing Ballmer, how shrewd he is, how thoughtful he is about everything—it just doesn’t add up.”
Simmons pointed out Ballmer’s reputation as a meticulous businessman, noting how much detail went into building the Intuit Dome as an example of how hands-on he usually is.
“He’s not the kind of old billionaire who just cuts corners,” Simmons added. “He’s always on top of things. That’s why I just can’t believe he was this dumb. Maybe he was—but I just can’t believe it.”
Ballmer Pushes for League-Wide Investigation
Ballmer hasn’t just defended himself—he’s gone on the offensive. The Clippers owner has called for the NBA to investigate other teams as well, arguing that if the league wants parity, it needs to hold everyone accountable.
He’s even gotten some support. Former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban publicly backed Ballmer, suggesting there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
What’s Next for the Clippers?
The NBA has yet to announce any official action, but the allegations are serious. If the league finds proof of cap violations, the Clippers could face massive penalties. For now, the situation remains under the microscope, with fans, insiders, and analysts all waiting to see whether Ballmer’s reputation as one of the smartest owners in sports takes a major hit—or if this all unravels into something much bigger.
