NBA investigating second Kawhi Leonard sponsorship deal as part of Aspiration probe: Sources

Key Points:

• The NBA's investigation into Kawhi Leonard's no-work sponsorship deal with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt environmental company, has extended to 11 months, examining possible salary cap circumvention by the LA Clippers and undisclosed endorsement deals involving Leonard.
• The probe has caused the Toronto Raptors to pause a trade to bring Leonard back, as the league warned they would bear any punishment risk, highlighting the investigation's impact despite no formal conclusions yet.
• Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg, recently sentenced to 14 years for wire fraud, was central to the deal and had close ties with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who denies wrongdoing and claims to be a victim of Sanberg's fraud.
• Former Aspiration employees revealed the company struggled to use Leonard in marketing due to his low public profile and limited social media presence, and the sponsorship deal was unusually large compared to other celebrity endorsements.
• The NBA investigation continues with interviews of Leonard, his advisers, Ballmer, and former Aspiration executives, with the league expected to decide on potential penalties or settlements after the inquiry concludes.