I said, “Believe it or not, some of this is believable.” Recently, news broke, tying Kawhi Leonard to a shocking $28 million fraud scheme. And now, Stephen A. Smith is exposing even more. Included clauses allowing Leonard to do nothing yet still collect payment. That’s the Kawhi Leonard I know. Doing nothing and getting paid for it.

We’re talking secret contracts, powerful names involved, and an NBA star accused of cashing massive checks without lifting a finger. This scandal is bigger than you think. Let me break it down. the $28 million scheme. On September 3rd, 2025, journalist Pablo Toré dropped an investigative bombshell that shook the entire NBA.

 His report exposed Kawi Leonard’s alleged $28 million noshow endorsement deal, a scheme that may have helped the Clippers quietly bend salary cap rules. Tore spent months going through over 3,000 pages of legal documents and interviewed seven former Aspiration employees who spilled the tea on what they’re calling the most elaborate salary cap circumvention scheme in NBA history.

Did you ever see proof of Kawhi Leonard marketing or endorsing Aspiration in any way? Never. Not once. The single largest payment to an individual for marketing that aspiration ever made has completely evaded all press. It’s honestly incredible. Nothing. He didn’t have to do anything. In other words, Ki Leonard got from Aspiration a $28 million no-show job.

Yeah, it’s amazing. I’m honestly so jealous. Now, let’s break down all the players in this drama. Starting with the company at the center of it all, Aspiration. Picture this. Aspiration was marketed as this eco-friendly green bank that promised to plant trees and save the planet.

 Sounds noble, right? Well, turns out this company was about as legitimate as a $3 bill. The company raised over $865 million and was valued at $2.3 billion at its peak, attracting celebrity endorsers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr., Drake, and even former Clippers coach Doc Rivers. But here’s where it gets spicy. Co-founder Joseph Samberg pleaded guilty to wire fraud in August 2025, admitting to defrauding investors and lenders of over $243 million.

 The company filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. And that’s when all the dirty laundry started coming out. Now, enter our main character, Kawawaii Leonard. This dude signed a deal with Aspiration through his company KL2 Aspire LLC in April 2022. But here’s the kicker. Unlike all those other celebrities who were actually promoting the company, Leonard was nowhere to be seen.

 No social media posts, no advertisements, no public appearances promoting trees or environmental causes. The only public connection was a single Clipper tweet on Leonard’s birthday in 2023, saying they plant trees for every retweet. That’s it. But wait, it gets even more suspicious. The contract had clauses that would make any lawyer’s eyebrows raised to the ceiling.

 Leonard could literally decline to proceed with any action desired by the company, which basically meant he could get paid millions without doing anything. And here’s the real smoking gun. payments would only continue if Leonard remained a Clippers player. Come on now, that’s about as subtle as a brick to the face. Tori’s investigation revealed that former Aspiration employees explicitly stated the deal was designed to circumvent the salary cap with one finance department employee saying they were told not to ask questions about it

because it was to circumvent the salary cap. Lol. The audacity. And then there’s Steve Balmer, the Clippers owner worth $173 billion. This man invested $50 million personally in Aspiration, which conveniently announced a $300 million sponsorship deal with the Clippers in September 2021.

 The timing is suspicious enough to make anyone’s spider senses tingle. Tore’s follow-up report on September 5th revealed an additional $20 million side deal, bringing the total to $48 million, almost exactly matching Balmer’s $50 million investment. Coincidence? I think not. The deal was orchestrated through Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, who has a history of demanding questionable perks.

 Remember back in 2019 when Robertson allegedly requested impermissible benefits like part ownership and private planes during Leonard’s free agency? The NBA investigated but found no evidence. Well, guess what? Those same questionable tactics are front and center again. Now, when Steven A. Smith caught wind of this story, he absolutely went nuclear.

 This man has been waiting for years to unleash on Kawhi Leonard, and Torres’s report gave him all the ammunition he needed. On First Take on September 3rd, 2025, Smith didn’t just criticize Leonard, he completely eviscerated him. This is a man that did New Balance commercials and the kids spoke. Molly, the kids, he didn’t say a word.

 You I’ve seen them go up to him and need him to sign autographs and fratinize with the public when he was sitting behind his behind on the bench collecting about 40 plus million dollars and he wouldn’t do it. Sir, he has spent years years doing absolutely positively nothing. Smith’s critique didn’t stop there. He called Leonard a walking absentee on the ballot and said when he saw the report about money for doing nothing, it made perfect sense because that’s exactly Leonard’s pattern.

 Smith emphasized that Leonard has missed over 40% of his game since joining the Clippers. While earning over $43.3 million per year, yet does absolutely nothing to promote the franchise or engage with fans. On his YouTube show, Smith went even harder, breaking down the contract details and explaining how the clauses allowing Leonard to decline promotional work sounded exactly like something Leonard would demand.

 When it says that La Kawhai Leonard was getting 28 million, quote unquote, for a no-show job, end quote. That sounds just like Kawhi Leonard. No show. No show job. Don’t have to show up. Don’t have to do a damn thing. That sounds exactly like Kawhi Leonard. Exactly like him. Smith also called out Leonard’s lack of promotional efforts, saying, “He is the worst superstar I have ever seen in sports history.

” He pointed out that while other superstars do interviews, promotional appearances, and engage with fans. Leonard does none of that, but still expects all the perks. The ESPN analyst didn’t spare Uncle Dennis either, noting that if there’s a perk to be had, he’s going to get it. Smith connected this to the current scandal, suggesting it fits a pattern of Leonard’s camp, seeking ways to maximize earnings with minimal effort.

 Smith’s most damning quote came when he said Leonard basically held the Clippers hostage and blackmailed them into giving up asset only to proceed missing game after game throughout the years. When the allegation surfaced about Leonard getting paid for virtually doing nothing, Smith said that’s what stood out to him. But why Leonard getting paid for not working? The timing of Leonard’s aspiration deal is particularly damning.

 KL2 Aspire LLC was registered on November 22nd, 2021, just weeks after the Clippers announced their aspiration partnership. The $28 million deal became effective on April 1st, 2022 with quarterly payments through March 2026. The bankruptcy filings revealed that KL2 Aspire LLC was still owed $7 million, indicating that partial payments had been made, but the deal wasn’t completed due to Aspiration’s financial collapse.

 The NBA launches an investigation. The moment Pablo Tori’s report hit the internet, the basketball world went into complete chaos mode. Social media exploded. Fans started picking sides and the NBA brass knew they had to act fast. Within hours of the story breaking, NBA spokesman Mike Bass announced they were launching an investigation, stating, “We are aware of this morning’s media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation.

” Let me tell you something, fam. When the NBA moves that quickly, you know this situation is serious business. The public reactions have been absolutely wild. On X, formerly Twitter, fans are going completely bananas with their takes. Lakers fans, who are still salty about Leonard choosing the Clippers over them in 2019, are having a field day.

 Over on Reddit, the discussions are getting heated. The RNBA community has been going back and forth with 884 votes and 303 comments on posts about Tori’s report. Some fans are calling it a huge scandal that deserves severe punishment, while others are questioning whether Leonard even knew about the deal’s true intent, suggesting Uncle Dennis handled everything behind the scenes.

 One user commented that whether it was Kawaii or his team asking for under the table deals doesn’t matter because the cap isn’t for players to navigate. It’s the owners and GM. The Toronto Raptors fan base has mixed feelings about this whole situation. Some fans are wishing Leonard had stayed in Toronto.

 With one user humorously posting, “Riverse time to 2019 and make him return to the Raptors, Adam Silver, you coward.” Others are just glad they got their championship and moved on from the Leonard drama. The NBA’s investigation is no joke either. They’re looking into potential violations of section 13 of the collective bargaining agreement, which specifically prohibits outside arrangements to pay players beyond their contracts.

 If proven true, the penalties could be absolutely devastating. We’re talking about fines up to $7.5 million under the 2023 CBA, forfeite of draft picks, contract voiding, and suspensions of team personnel for up to one year. Commissioner Adam Silver has previously called salary cap circumvention a cardinal sin of the NBA. And if the allegations are proven, we could see punishment that makes the 2000 Timberwolves case look like a slap on the wrist.

 Remember, Minnesota lost five draft picks and got hit with a $3.5 million fine for their under the table deal with Joe Smith. And that was pocket change compared to Leonard’s alleged $48 million scheme. Steve Balmer isn’t going down without a fight, though. The Clippers owner appeared on ESPN Sports Center on September 4th, claiming he was conned by Aspirations founders.

 He said, “They conned me. You’re one of the richest men in America. They conned me. I made an investment in these guys thinking it was on the up and up, and they conned me.” At this stage, I have no ability to predict why they might have done anything they did. Balmer insisted the Clippers only introduced Leonard to Aspiration after both his contract extension and the team’s sponsorship deal were finalized.

Mark Cuban, the former Dallas Maverick’s owner, jumped to Balmer’s defense on social media, arguing that the scheme made little sense given Leonard’s 2021 ACL injury and Balmer’s massive wealth. Cuban questioned why Aspiration would go bankrupt if the deal was intentional, suggesting Balmer was genuinely defrauded.

 Tori responded by inviting Cuban to discuss the issue on his podcast, adding another layer to this drama. But here’s the thing that makes this scandal even juicier. Leonard’s history is absolutely loaded with controversies that make this latest allegation seem like part of a pattern. Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? First up, we’ve got the infamous 2017 to 18 San Antonio Spurs exit that had Spurs fans ready to burn Leonard’s jersey.

 During that season, Leonard played only nine games due to a quadriceps injury. But the real drama came from the disagreement between Leonard’s doctors and the Spurs medical staff about his recovery. The tension reached a boiling point in March 2018 during a tense and emotional players onlyly meeting where teammates including Tony Parker urged Leonard to return.

Parker’s public comment that his own similar injury was 100 times worse, but he recovered faster absolutely torched Leonard’s reputation in San Antonio. Spurs fans to this day haven’t forgiven Leonard for what they saw as disloyalty and poor communication. One Reddit user perfectly captured the sentiment. Kawawaii got hurt, didn’t communicate with the team, pretty much the entire year.

 Reports said he was two, four weeks away from returning. He’s a huge clown. The betrayal was so deep that some fans said if Leonard had just communicated better, he wouldn’t be as hated as he is today. Then there’s the load management saga that’s been driving Steven A. Smith absolutely crazy for years. Since joining the Clippers in 2019, Leonard has only played 52.

4% 4% of possible regular season games, missing 256 out of 435 games. That’s basically missing half the season every year while collecting over $43 million annually. The NBA even fined the Clippers $50,000 in 2019 for resting Leonard in a nationally televised game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 2019 free agency tampering allegations are particularly relevant to the current scandal.

 During that summer, after leading the Raptors to their first championship, Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, allegedly requested impermissible benefits from teams, including part ownership, private planes, houses, and guaranteed endorsement money. The Athletic reported that Lakers owner Jeanie Bus rejected these requests because they were illegal, while Raptors owner Larry Tannabal offered $15 million in endorsement deals, prompting a warning from Commissioner Silver.

 But wait, there’s more. In 2023, former Clippers performance coach Randy Shelton filed a lawsuit that added another layer to Leonard’s controversial reputation. Shelton alleged he was wrongfully terminated after raising concerns about the team’s mishandling of Leonard’s injuries, including forcing him to play after his 2021 ACL tear and a 2023 meniscus tear.

 Shelton claimed the Clippers ignored NBA concussion protocols and excluded him from medical meetings, all while prioritizing revenue and winning above all else, even the health and safety of their franchise player. The lawsuit alleged that Shelton was promised a highle role for helping recruit Leonard in 2019, but was later sidelined and fired.

 Fans on social media expressed concern about the Clippers medical practices, with one user stating, “Clippers putting revenue over Kauai’s safety is wild.” The Clippers denied the claims and filed a motion in January 2025 to move the case to arbitration. NBA executives are taking this seriously, too. An Eastern Conference executive told Sports Illustrated, “This is a huge deal.

” While a Western Conference GM stated, “Bad for them. Very bad. The NBA will be pissed about this. The league’s credibility is on the line here.” And with Commissioner Silver’s reputation for maintaining competitive balance, the pressure is mounting for significant punishment. Even Leonard’s defenders are having a hard time spinning this one.

Former teammate Patrick Beverly tried to defend Leonard’s work ethic, stating on his podcast, “I have never seen anyone that’s even close to Kawhai Leonard when it comes to working on your skills.” But even Beverly’s defense feels hollow when you consider the mountain of evidence suggesting Leonard’s camp has been gaming the system for years.

 The investigation is ongoing, and the NBA has been tight lipped about their findings so far. But with Torres’s additional reporting about the $20 million side deal and the detailed documentation from Aspirations bankruptcy proceedings, the evidence is stacking up like pancakes at a Sunday brunch.

 As one Reddit user noted about the investigation, Silver is soft and Prob find a reason to give Clippers a slap on the wrist. Stern rolling in his grave. As we wait for the investigation’s conclusion, one thing is certain. Leonard’s reputation has taken a massive hit and his legacy might never recover from this latest controversy. The quiet superstars life.

 Kawhi Anthony Leonard’s story starts in Los Angeles on June 29th, 1991. Born to Mark Leonard and Kim Robertson is the youngest of five children with four older sisters. But here’s where the story gets real heavy real quick. When Leonard was just 5 years old, his parents divorced and he moved with his mother to Marino Valley, California.

 Despite the separation, Leonard maintained a close relationship with his father, visiting him in Compton on weekends and summers, where Mark owned a car wash. Then, tragedy struck in the most devastating way possible. On January 18th, 2008, when Leonard was just 16 years old, his father was shot and killed at the car wash in a murder that remains unsolved to this day.

 The next day, showing the mental toughness that would define his career, Leonard played a high school basketball game before breaking down emotionally afterward. This tragic event profoundly shaped his reserved personality and intense focus on basketball as an escape from life’s harsh realities. But the family tragedies didn’t end there.

 In April 2023, Leonard’s sister, Kamisha Monai Williams, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the robbery and murder of an 84 year old woman at a Southern California casino in 2019. The Leonard family has experienced more than their fair share of heartbreak and legal troubles.

 Despite these personal challenges, Leonard found stability in his relationship with Cashelli Shipley, whom he met at San Diego State University. Shipley, a public administration graduate who works in human resources, has been Leonard’s rock throughout his career. The couple has maintained an incredibly private relationship with Shipley avoiding social media and public appearances.

They have two children together. Daughter Kalia Leonard, born in July 2016, and son Mark Leonard Jr., born in April 2019 and named after Leonard’s murdered father. Leonard’s basketball journey began at Canyon Springs High School before transferring to Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California.

 As a senior, he led the team to a 33 record, averaging 22.6 six points and 13.1 rebounds, earning the California Mr. Basketball Award in 2009. Despite his impressive high school stats, Leonard was ranked only the 48th overall recruit nationally, showing how much he exceeded expectations. At San Diego State University, Leonard quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.

 Over two seasons, he averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 two rebounds across 70 games, leading the Aztecs to a 259 record as a freshman and earning Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year. In his sophomore year, the team reached the NCAA Sweet 16 and Leonard was named a consensus second team all-American before declaring for the 2011 NBA draft.

 His number 15 jersey was retired by SDSU in 2020, cementing his legacy at the school. The NBA draft night on June 23rd, 2011 changed Leonard’s life forever. Selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers. He was immediately traded to the San Antonio Spurs where he would develop under the legendary Greg Papovich. Leonard chose to wear number two inspired by his childhood heroes and quickly earned NBA All rookie first team honors in 2012.

His rise in San Antonio was meteoric. After helping the Spurs reach the 2013 finals where they lost to Miami, Leonard had his breakout moment in 2014. In a rematch against the Heat, Leonard led the Spurs to a 41 finals victory, scoring a career-high 29 points in game three and earning Finals MVP at age 22, making him the third youngest Finals MVP in NBA history.

 He followed this up by winning defensive player of the year in both 2015 and 2016, joining Michael Jordan and Hakee Oligan as the only players to win both finals MVP and DPI. Leonard’s financial success started building during his Spurs years. In 2015, he signed a 5-year, $90 million contract, showing the organization’s belief in his potential.

 By 2016 to 17, he was averaging a career-high 25.5 points per game and looking like a legitimate superstar. But then came the controversy that would define his reputation. The 2017 to 18 season quadriceps injury saga was where Leonard’s relationship with the Spurs completely broke down, playing only nine games that season due to the injury.

Leonard’s disagreement with the team’s medical staff about his rehabilitation led to a rift that couldn’t be repaired. His trade request in June 2018 sent shock waves through the NBA and established him as a player willing to force his way out when things didn’t go his way. The Toronto Raptors trade in July 2018 revitalized Leonard’s career and reputation.

 Acquired along with Danny Green for Demar De Rozan, Yakob Pil, and a first round pick, Leonard had his redemption story. Despite playing only 60 regular season games due to load management, Leonard averaged 26.6 points and saved his best for the playoffs. His iconic game seven buzzer beater against Philadelphia, the first game seven buzzer beater in NBA playoff history is still giving fans chills today.

 The 2019 finals run was pure magic. Leonard’s 732 playoff points that year was the third highest single postseason total behind LeBron James and Michael Jordan. His finals MVP performance against the Golden State Warriors brought Toronto their first championship and made Leonard one of only three players to win finals MVP with two different teams.

 The entire country of Canada was ready to give this man the keys to the kingdom. But then came the decision that Lakers fans are still crying about to this day. In July 2019, Leonard shocked everyone by signing a three-year 103 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, choosing them over the Lakers and disappointing Raptors fans who thought they had done enough to keep him.

 The move to the Clippers brought Paul George with him, creating a super team that was supposed to dominate the Western Conference. Leonard’s Clippers tenure has been defined by brilliant flashes interrupted by extended absences. His debut against the Lakers saw him drop 30 points and he was named the 2020 All-Star game MVP.

 However, injuries have been the story of his time in LA. The 2021 ACL tear cost him the entire 2021 to22 season, while a 2023 meniscus tear limited his availability again. Despite the injury concerns, Leonard’s financial success has continued growing. In January 2024, he signed a three-year 152.

4 million extension, bringing his total Clippers earnings to over $400 million when combined with his previous contracts. His career earnings have exceeded $325 million from NBA salaries alone, not including endorsements. Speaking of endorsements, Leonard’s business portfolio extends beyond the controversial aspiration deal. Since 2018, he’s been the face of New Balance, leaving Jordan Brand in a move that netted him a signature shoe line.

 He also has deals with Cargo Jet Airways and Honey, earning approximately 5.5 million annually from endorsements. His estimated net worth in 2025 is around $120 million, showing how basketball success translates to financial security. Leonard’s personal interests reflect his private nature. He still drives a 1997 Chevy Tahoe from his high school days, preferring understated choices over flashy displays.

 Despite owning a $17 million Los Angeles mansion, he plays piano, enjoys fishing with family and friends, and in 2021 released a hip-hop album called Culture Jam to support a charity honoring Kobe and Gianna Bryant. His connection to his roots remains strong. In 2021, Leonard donated a basketball court to Western Park in Mareno Valley.

 Dedicated in his name, he emphasized his attachment to the area, saying, “It’s hard for me to forget Mareno Valley because I’m always a guy that’s been going to LA every weekend to visit my dad and then coming back.” Leonard’s reserved personality has both helped and hurt his reputation. He’s famously stated, “I am not one of the guys in the league for the fame.

 I’m here so I can take care of my family, my mom, my friends, and take care of myself.” This authenticity resonates with some fans who appreciate his focus on basketball over celebrity culture. But it’s also made him a target for critics like Stephen A. Smith who want more engagement and promotion from superstars.

 His basketball achievements speak for themselves. Two championships, two finals MVPs, two defensive player of the year awards, six all-star selections, three allNBA first team honors, and seven alldefensive team selections. He was named to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team in 2021, cementing his status among the greatest players in league history.

 However, Leonard’s legacy is complicated by his injury history and the controversies surrounding his business dealings. Since joining the Clippers, he’s missed 290 games over eight years while earning over $325 million. His withdrawal from the 2024 US Olympic team due to knee concerns only added to questions about his availability and commitment.

 The current aspiration scandal threatens to overshadow Leonard’s onc court achievements and raise serious questions about his character and business practices. Whether he was a willing participant in salary cap circumvention or simply trusted uncle Dennis to handle his business affairs, the allegations have damaged his reputation and could impact his legacy for years to come.

 As Leonard continues his career at age 34, he faces the challenge of maintaining his elite play while dealing with ongoing legal and investigations that could potentially end his career on a sour note. The man who was once seen as a quiet, dedicated professional is now facing questions about his integrity and business ethics.

 That’s all for now, folks. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this clip, please click on the card showing on the screen.