The Leonard case is expected to be settled through negotiation! A prominent commentator demands severe penalties, suggesting both Ballmer and Leonard should be suspended for a year.

On August 8th, Beijing time, Raptors reporter Grange reported that Torre revealed a highly questionable endorsement deal during Leonard's tenure with the Clippers, involving the arena screen manufacturer Dakechuangke. This latest report adds fuel to the fire, potentially damaging the Clippers and their wealthy and powerful owner Ballmer, while also jeopardizing the trade that would send Leonard to the Raptors.

According to league sources, the investigation has already completed the fact-finding phase. The parties involved, especially the Clippers and the players' union NBPA (which is closely monitoring the situation and assessing potential consequences for Leonard), are privately negotiating to resolve the matter. Silver hinted at this possibility during his last public comments on July 14th.

What is the most likely outcome? The parties will reach a negotiated settlement: the NBA can impose some disciplinary measures, Ballmer saves face, and Leonard can play for the Raptors.

However, veteran commentator A. Smith believes the punishment should be harsh. "In my view, if this is true, team owner Ballmer should be suspended for at least a year. Leonard should also face a one-year suspension. He gets his salary while also earning extra income through illegal channels. According to NBA rules, this behavior is strictly prohibited and cannot be tolerated. I have to say, no one knows how to make money without working better than Leonard. This guy always finds ways to take rest days, it's ridiculous."

It is widely believed that this new information will not change the subsequent process. The core issue now is how the league will handle all the evidence gathered so far.

Sportsnet contacted an NBA spokesperson for an update on the investigation, but they declined to comment; the players' union representative also did not respond to interview requests.

The trade was supposed to send Leonard from Los Angeles to Toronto, with the Raptors giving up All-Star Brandon Ingram, third-year wing Gradey Dick, and several draft picks. However, the trade has been put on hold by the Raptors pending the investigation, leaving Leonard in a state of uncertainty.

But there has been quiet confidence within the league that the trade will eventually go through, and all league matters can be resolved before training camp opens on September 28th.

Keep in mind that in the NBA schedule, only August is relatively quiet. Don't underestimate the unspoken consensus among all parties: to push all issues into the first week of September, after everyone returns to work.

Last week, ESPN reported that if Ballmer's side or the players' union challenges Silver's ruling through arbitration, the entire process could drag on until 2027. However, industry insiders interpret this optimistically: it shows that the parties are defining their negotiating ranges, aiming to reach a result that everyone can accept, or at least tolerate.

This is something Raptors fans should keep in mind—everyone is worried about whether the Leonard trade will happen. All parties involved in this storm: the Clippers, the Raptors, Leonard himself, and the league, share a common desire to move past this issue.

Of course, such investigations take time. When the NFL investigated Tom Brady's use of underinflated footballs in the 2015 AFC Championship game, the whole matter took nearly two years to resolve.

Appendix: Timeline of the Leonard illegal sponsorship case—

2025‑09‑03: Pablo Torre revealed Kawhi's endorsement deal with Aspiration Bank that "did not require actual performance"

2025‑09‑03: NBA officially launched an investigation

2026‑06‑03: Adam Silver stated during the NBA Finals: "We need to resolve this matter"

2026‑06‑30: Kawhi was traded to the Raptors

2026‑07‑09: The trade cannot be finalized until the investigation is completed

2026‑07‑14: NBA began investigating Kawhi's second sponsorship deal

2026‑07‑29: Torre reported that Kawhi invested in a controversial soccer project in Rhode Island

2026‑07‑29: ESPN reported that the investigation "could be delayed until 2027"

2026‑08‑06: Torre revealed that Kawhi had an undisclosed sponsorship deal with Dakechuangke