1 hour ago
NEWYou tin now perceive to Fox News articles!
Kawhi Leonard isn't going to Toronto conscionable yet.
Last week, Leonard's Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a waste and acquisition that would nonstop him to nan Toronto Raptors, wherever he won a title successful 2019. However, nan waste and acquisition is reportedly connected clasp until nan NBA's investigation into nan Clippers is complete.
Leonard is accused of receiving off-the-books money done an evident endorsement woody to thief nan Clippers circumvent nan net cap.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Kawhi Leonard #2 of nan Los Angeles Clippers looks connected during nan first half of nan preseason crippled against nan Portland Trail Blazers astatine Climate Pledge Arena connected October 03, 2022 successful Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
"For nan past 10 months, our statement has afloat cooperated pinch an NBA investigation, participating successful dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating entree to our staff. While nan process has been challenging, we person remained committed to transparency," nan Clippers said successful a statement to ESPN.
"On June 30, we reached an statement successful rule to waste and acquisition Kawhi Leonard to nan Toronto Raptors. We person since been informed that nan waste and acquisition tin only beryllium finalized if nan Raptors' ownership group assumes nan consequence of penalties related to Kawhi’s statement that could theoretically consequence from nan ongoing investigation.
"The investigation is ongoing, and we expect nan waste and acquisition to beryllium finalized pursuing its conclusion."
In nan statement, nan Clippers denied immoderate wrongdoing.
Los Angeles Clippers guardant Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks against nan Chicago Bulls during nan 2nd half of an NBA hoops crippled Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LEBRON JAMES NEXT TEAM ODDS: CAVALIERS FAVORED; HEAT, WARRIORS IN MIX
"We did not chimney money to Kawhi Leonard done Aspiration. Like galore blase investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by [Aspiration co-founder Joe] Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years successful prison," nan squad said.
"We admit nan uncertainty this has created and nan effect it has had connected our team, our fans, nan Raptors organization, their fans, and nan players whose futures stay affected while this process continues. We stay assured that, erstwhile nan facts are evaluated reasonably and thoroughly, nan NBA will corroborate precisely what we person said from nan beginning: We person not done what we are accused of doing."
The Raptors said to ESPN they "would presume nan consequence of immoderate imaginable outcome" of nan investigation and "will hold until nan league's investigation is complete."
"The Raptors stay eager to bring Kawhi backmost to Toronto and look guardant to a swift solution for our players, our organization, and our fans," they said.
Leonard remains nether statement done 2027 and is group to gain much than $50 cardinal adjacent season. According to reports, he besides hopes to motion a two-year, $126.1 cardinal hold that would let him to decorativeness his profession successful Canada.
Kawhi Leonard, center, of nan LA Clippers looks connected from nan chair successful thoroughfare apparel against of nan Phoenix Suns successful nan first half of crippled 3 of a first information NBA playoff hoops crippled astatine nan Crypto.com Arena successful Los Angeles connected Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Raptors agreed to portion pinch guardant Brandon Ingram, defender Gradey Dick, 2 early first-round picks, a first-round prime swap, and 2 second-round picks.
Outkick's Alejandro Avila contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
