Kahwi Leonard accepts ‘full responsibility’ in statment on Clippers ruling

On Wednesday, the NBA finally ruled on its investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers for potentially circumnavigating the salary cap regarding Kawhi Leonard, finding that the team did indeed violate the rules. Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Clippers will have to forfeit five first-round picks, in addition to suspensions and fines for Steve Ballmer and others, as well as a restitution payment for Leonard.

Now, Leonard himself has spoken in the wake of the news.

“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family,” said Leonard through his agent, per Charania on X, formerly Twitter.

Leonard added that “I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.”

At this point, it looks like the Clippers’ trade of Leonard to the Toronto Raptors will indeed go through, since Leonard himself will not be serving any suspension.

Meanwhile, it’s certainly a bleak day for the Los Angeles organization, which has been set back years by the news that they will be forfeiting several upcoming first-round draft picks, in addition to having key members of their brass sidelined for the upcoming season.

The Clippers are slated to get their 2026-27 season underway on October 20.

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