The Kawhi Leonard investigation may be headed toward a split outcome for the Clippers.
Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported that recent revelations from Pablo Torre's podcast about off-court business deals for Leonard were not new to the NBA's outside investigators. According to the report, the Wachtell probe had already been looking into both the alleged Daktronics contract and a possible ownership stake in a Rhode Island soccer team with ties to Steve Ballmer and the Clippers.
The Athletic had previously reported in mid-July that investigators examined a previously unreported endorsement deal with another company. That matters because the latest public details may not have changed the core timeline of the league's review.
There is now a belief in some corners of the league, per the report, that the investigation is closer to completion than the public process suggests. The expected scenario from those league corners: NBA sanctions against the Clippers, but clearance for LA and Toronto to complete the Leonard trade.
That last part is still not official. None of the involved parties has publicly said how likely that outcome is, and the NBA has not announced discipline or trade clearance.
Adam Silver did say in mid-July that Wachtell was going through the information it had gathered and drawing conclusions. He added that it was realistic, and necessary, for the probe to be wrapped up before next season.
For now, the key distinction is simple. Sanctions appear possible. A blocked Leonard move, based on the reporting, is not the expectation in those league circles.
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