The NBA is refuting allegations from an ESPN report concerning its examination of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. According to the ESPN article released on Monday, three sources indicated that the NBA did not discover any proof that Ballmer used team sponsors to compensate Kawhi Leonard, potentially violating salary cap regulations.
The piece claimed that the league is now investigating whether the Clippers’ presentation of Leonard to sponsors breaches the rules barring circumvention of salary caps. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass rejected the assertions in the ESPN article, citing multiple inaccuracies.
Bass announced on Monday that the outcomes of the NBA’s inquiry will be disclosed upon its conclusion. A trade deal involving Leonard between the Clippers and the Toronto Raptors has been paused pending the league’s decision on potential penalties.