The LA Clippers are already in hot water over the reporting of an illegal Kawhi Leonard endorsement deal, but Pablo Torre hinted that things could get worse. The investigative reporter joined Davis Samson to discuss his previous findings and dropped several revelations. Torre had new notes about some investors knowing more than others in this still-unraveling case in the NBA and legal system. The journalist certainly hinted that more could be coming.
He noted fans would have to wait at the end of the episode. Torre says it took him seven months to get the first piece up to his standards. He fully stands by his reporting and stakes his reputation on every one of these episodes. It will take time to uncover new details and fully tell the story.
Things are already bad and keep getting worse for the Clippers. The NBA likely already has enough evidence to punish them and is just missing one piece to throw the book at them. Torre is still doing the work, and the franchise should be terrified.
Pablo Torre is still investigating the Kawhi Leonard saga
Fans can choose to believe what they want about the endorsement deal. Leonard was being paid a massive amount of money to do nothing. If that money came from Steve Ballmer, the Clippers could face an unprecedented punishment that could destroy the entire franchise. Things look suspicious now, and one piece of evidence could take them across the line into unquestionable rule-breaking.
Torre noted that Ballmer going to Bristol on his private jet to sit down with Ramona Shelburne on ESPN was a sign the Clippers owner wanted to get ahead of this thing. He was trying to prove his innocence, but it may have been a bigger sign that things were just starting to blow up.
Torre did a fantastic job in his reporting. He got Kawhi’s contract, seven sources to confirm his reporting that it was to circumvent the NBA salary cap, and thousands of documents to prove Leonard made more than any other endorser in the company for doing nothing. Who knows what he will find next, but the Clippers would prefer him not to look.
This should be terrifying for fans. It felt like the Clippers finally arrived under Steve Ballmer. They have the best arena in the NBA and have made the playoffs in 12 of the last 14 years. They had just seven appearances in their first 41 seasons. Ballmer spared no expense on front office personnel or training staff. He wants the Clippers to win a championship, but may have gone too far in trying to keep Kawhi playing for his franchise.
Pablo Torre is staying on this case. The LA Clippers are already in a messy situation with Kawhi Leonard and his uncle, Dennis Robertson. Things could get much worse, and may if Torre finds something new. Will they? All fans can do is stay tuned to see if the other shoe drops.