Justice Department investigating Clippers’ dealings with Kawhi Leonard
The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million and stripped away five first-round draft picks to punish the franchise for circumventing salary cap rules.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (center) acknowledges fans as he is shown on the stadium video screen during a break in the Canadian Open quarterfinal match between Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto on Aug. 12. | Imagn Images / via Reuters
REUTERS
Sep 11, 2026
The Los Angeles Clippers, severely punished last week by the NBA for what the league said were salary cap rules violations involving star forward Kawhi Leonard, are under criminal investigation by federal prosecutors, The New York Times reported Thursday evening.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn is conducting the investigation, which is in early stages, per the report, which cited sources briefed on the matter. It reportedly was unclear whether the investigation would lead to criminal charges or the presentation of evidence to a grand jury.
The Times reported that prosecutors have issued at least one subpoena as part of the investigation, which began before the NBA announced its conclusions after an independent, yearlong probe into the Clippers’ dealings related to Leonard.
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