[Goodwill & Holmes] No public evidence has emerged that conclusively proves the primary allegation that the Clippers’ circumvented the cap to compensate Leonard, and it’s unclear whether any such evidence has emerged in the investigation, either.
no public evidence has emerged that conclusively proves the primary allegation that the Clippers’ circumvented the cap to compensate Leonard, and it’s unclear whether any such evidence has emerged in the investigation, either. In September 2025, Silver made clear that the “burden is on the league if we’re going to discipline a team, an owner, a player or any constituent members of the league.”
Will the NBA find its burden of proof to warrant any punishment? And does it face pressure to punish the Clippers given the notoriety of the matter? Silver addressed the latter point during the Finals, when he spoke about the public perception regarding the investigation.
“I certainly hear and read things all the time about the perception of what really happened or didn’t happen here, and I think my only reaction is: I wouldn’t be doing my job if ultimately I issued a determination based on perception,” Silver said. “My job is to follow the facts.”