Why Mark Cuban defends Steve Ballmer amid bombshell report of Los Angeles Clippers’ circumvention of NBA salary cap tying to Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers are once again under the league’s microscope after a bombshell report linked star forward Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer to a $28 million endorsement deal allegedly designed to dodge the NBA’s salary cap.

While the team has denied any wrongdoing, one prominent voice in the basketball world has stepped forward in Ballmer’s defense. Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has recently taken Ballmer’s side and he explained the reason why.

Why did Mark Cuban defend Steve Ballmer in the Kawhi Leonard scandal?

The controversy erupted when journalist Pablo Torre unveiled documents and testimony suggesting Leonard’s company, KL2 Aspire LLC, struck a $28 million agreement with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt tree-planting firm financially backed by Ballmer.

Torre’s reporting alleged that Leonard barely had to lift a finger under the contract, which included clauses allowing him to decline promotional activity while still getting paid — provided he remained with the Clippers.

One former employee of Aspiration described the arrangement bluntly, “to circumvent the salary cap.”For many fans, the setup appeared too convenient. The optics of Leonard being paid millions by a company linked to Ballmer sparked immediate speculation about a backdoor deal.

But Mark Cuban wasn’t convinced. Writing on X, he explained where he stood.“I’m on Team Ballmer. As much as I wish they circumvented the salary cap, First Steve isn’t that dumb. If he did try to feed KL money, knowing what was at stake for him personally, and his team, do you think he would let the company go bankrupt? Knowing all creditors would be visible to the world? They got scammed by Aspiration, along with many others.

Crimes for which they pleaded guilty last week.”

Cuban argued that the more plausible explanation was fraud, not conspiracy. He highlighted the fact that Aspiration had also inked a massive $300 million sponsorship deal with the Clippers in 2021, making it logical for the company to tie Leonard to their brand. “Scammers do scammy things,” he wrote. “It actually makes perfect sense that if they stole money from investors and want the Clippers to succeed, why not give stolen money to help keep their best player?”

LA Clippers break silence as NBA opens an investigation

The Clippers, for their part, have flatly denied Torre’s allegations.

In a statement, the organization said: “Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration. Any contrary assertion is provably false.”

The team stressed that Ballmer, like other investors, was duped by Aspiration’s fraudulent practices and only became aware of its misconduct once government investigations began.Also Read: Los Angeles Clippers finally issued statement after circumvention of NBA salary cap controversy involving Kawhi LeonardMeanwhile, the NBA has confirmed it is “commencing an investigation” into the matter. Punishments for proven violations could be severe, including heavy fines, lost draft picks, or even voided contracts. With Leonard recently signing a three-year, $149.5 million extension, the stakes are enormous for the Clippers’ future.