Kawhi Leonard Denies No-Show Job Allegation, Calls It a “Conspiracy Theory”

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has dismissed allegations that he accepted a no-show endorsement deal with a now-bankrupt company to help the team circumvent the NBA’s salary cap rules, calling the claim nothing more than a “conspiracy theory.”

Leonard addressed the controversy publicly for the first time during the Clippers’ preseason media day on Monday, following the release of a podcast episode from Pablo Torre Finds Out that linked Leonard’s 2021 endorsement deal with sustainability services company Aspiration to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. The podcast suggested the arrangement funneled an additional $28 million to Leonard outside of his official contract with the team.

“It’s easy for me [not to be distracted],” Leonard told reporters. “I don’t read headlines or do conspiracy theories or anything like that. It’s about the season and what we’ve got ahead of us right now.”

The NBA is currently investigating the nature of the Aspiration deal, which coincided with Leonard signing a four-year, $173 million extension with the Clippers. Around that same period, the Clippers also announced a $300 million partnership with Aspiration. Though Ballmer has claimed he had no involvement beyond initially introducing Leonard to the company in 2021, questions remain about whether the deal violated the league’s strict salary cap rules.

Leonard confirmed the existence of the endorsement agreement, but firmly denied the notion that he was compensated without providing services.

“I understand the full contract and the services I have to do,” Leonard said. “Like I said, I don’t deal with the conspiracies or clickbait analysts or journalism that’s going on. So that’s what it is.”

Responding directly to claims that he was not required to perform any duties for Aspiration, Leonard said, “I don’t think it’s accurate. But, it’s old. This is all new to you guys. The company went bankrupt a while ago, so we already knew this was going to happen.”

Aspiration filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. Its co-founder, Joe Sanberg, was later arrested on fraud charges related to the company’s collapse. Leonard stated that he is still owed “more than” $7 million from Aspiration.

Despite the investigation, Leonard appeared confident in the legality of the deal and emphasized his focus on the upcoming season.

“The NBA’s gonna do their job. None of us did any wrongdoing,” he said. “We invite the investigations. It’s not gonna be a distraction for me or the rest of the team.”