Part 8/13:
The Stakes for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and the NBA
For the Clippers: The team’s future could be drastically altered. Losing draft picks and key players like Leonard could send the franchise into irrelevance for years, similar to what happened to Minnesota after losing multiple picks in past scandals. With a new $2 billion arena now open, such penalties threaten to undermine their investment and competitiveness.
For Kawhi Leonard: His legacy is under threat. If it is proven that Leonard was part of or benefited from illegal payments, it could tarnish his accomplishments—diminishing two-time Finals MVP and defensive player honors. The implications extend to his Hall of Fame case and reputation as one of the league's elite two-way players.