What new criminal investigation into Clippers means for Raptors as Kawhi Leonard trade remains on hold - Toronto Star

Sources say the latest wrinkle shouldn’t preclude Leonard from becoming a Raptor before training camp begins in about two weeks.

As the United States justice department investigates the Los Angeles Clippers and its salary-cap contravention deals involving Kawhi Leonard and several outside companies, there is no immediate concern it will scuttle an expected trade with the Raptors.

According to NBA sources granted anonymity to discuss a continuing investigation, the latest wrinkle shouldn’t preclude Leonard from becoming a Raptor before training camp begins in about two weeks.

Officials familiar with the situation said it was “uncertain whether the (justice department) investigation would lead to criminal charges or even result in evidence being presented to a grand jury.”

That uncertainty, and the fact the justice department’s probe is not directly involved with the pending Raptors-Clippers transaction, creates a feeling of optimism that the long-planned trade will be consummated shortly.

The justice department, through the U.S. attorney’s Brooklyn-based Eastern District of New York, has begun a criminal investigation, according to a New York Times report.

“Among the matters likely under scrutiny are a series of secret endorsement deals that Mr. Leonard signed and whether Steve Ballmer, the team’s owner, and other executives helped facilitate them as a way of compensating him at a level that exceeded the NBA’s salary cap,” the story by Michael S. Schmidt, William K. Rashbaum and Santul Nerkar said.

Any government probe is outside of the NBA’s own investigation, which finished with a scathing report last week charging the Clippers with  violating the league’s salary-cap rules.

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