LeBron James reacts to Kawhi Leonard's $28 million endorsement deal controversy with a two-word message

NBA legend LeBron James is majorly minding his own business, but it became a rare sight after he jumped into a controversy that has been prevailing in the basketball world. It is none other than Kawhi Leonard's $28 million endorsement deal controversy with the environmental startup, Aspiration.

The situation was roaring enough to pull the attention of King James, after a recent development that fueled the fire.

LeBron James reacts to Kawhi Leonard endorsement deal controversy

Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love dropped a reel on Instagram, which showed a character wearing an American flag-themed jumpsuit. He delivered a line that referred to Kawhi Leonard's controversy. He said, “Pay me my money! … In cashhhh.” To which the “Mr. Bank” character replies: “Cash? You’ve already been wired the money.”

His caption also took a jab at the situation, saying, "Kawhi pulling up on Clippers minority owners the minute his No-Show payment was running late. 📊💵✂️." Witnessing that, LeBron James could not help but react to the same. He dropped tons of laughing emojis and mentioned "In Cash" at the end of his comment.

LA Clippers minority owner involved in Kawhi Leonard's $28 million controversy

While LeBron James humorously portrayed the situation, the NBA has launched a serious investigation. Journalist Pablo Torres has also joined the fray. In recent documents he obtained, it has been alleged that Los Angeles Clippers' minority owner, Dennis Wong, had invested $2 million in Aspiration, which signed the $28 million endorsement deal with Kawhi Leonard back in April 2022 and paid him millions of dollars while "circumventing the NBA salary cap.

"According to Pablo Torres, Wong put in the capital in the startup on Dec. 6, 2022, at the time they were on the verge of bankruptcy, which became a subject of debate. Moreover, the company paid Kawhi Leonard his quarterly earnings of $1.75 million as part of the agreement, the same day 20% of their employees were laid off. Furthermore, Steve Ballmer himself invested $50 million into the company, and later on claimed he was “conned” by the top management.

For the NBA, it is about finding any wrongdoings and whether the LA Clippers bent salary cap rules by utilizing shell agreements for funneling payments. So, a decisive conclusion is yet to be made on this situation, and even on Kawhi Leonard's future with the Clippers and on-court career.Also read: 7 facts about former NBA star Jason Collins who is fighting brain tumor