The Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration investigation continues to play out this summer, holding up his potential trade to the Toronto Raptors and the ability for the LA Clippers to move into their next era.
Sources told ESPN on Aug. 17 that the NBA has no evidence owner Steve Ballmer funneled money to Leonard via sponsors, but the investigation is ongoing as training camp approaches.
In the meantime, the Clippers have made moves around the edges, including adding No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler and signing Rui Hachimura in free agency, but their full outlook is unclear until there is resolution in the investigation.
ESPN's staff of experts is looking back at the offseason and taking an early look at the 2026-27 season for all 30 teams, with 30 pieces -- one for every team -- rolling out each weekday through Sept. 18. We're answering the biggest looming questions, evaluating X factors and much more for all 30 teams.
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Offseason at a glance Key additions: Rui Hachimura, Keaton Wagler, Brandon Ingram (TBD), Gradey Dick (TBD) Key retentions: Kobe Sanders, Bradley Beal Key subtractions: Kawhi Leonard (TBD), Nicolas Batum, Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins
What started as a reconfiguration at the trade deadline -- acquiring Darius Garland from Cleveland for James Harden and Bennedict Mathurin from Indiana for Ivica Zubac -- turned into a complete overhaul this summer after the Clippers let Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nicolas Batum and John Collins walk.
Their biggest move, however, was trading Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks, but that deal is in limbo pending the investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention by the team relating to Leonard's Aspiration endorsement deal.
In the meantime, LA added Illinois guard Wagler with the No. 5 pick in the draft and signed Hachimura away from the crosstown Lakers with a two-year, $28 million deal. And in a surprise move, Bradley Beal -- after declining his $5.6 million contract option for next season in June to test free agency -- ended up re-signing on a two-year, $13.2 million deal in mid-August to stay with the Clippers. -- Dave McMenamin
Zach Kram's offseason grade: Incomplete
Until the Aspiration investigation concludes, the Clippers and Raptors can't complete their Kawhi Leonard trade. And until the Clippers and Raptors can complete their Leonard trade, both teams will receive an "Incomplete" offseason grade. As initially reported, the deal made sense for both sides -- but as of this writing, we don't know when, or whether, it will actually go through. -- Kram