[Jacob] There is a growing belief now, with reporting that the investigation is in fact over and the league is sifting through its findings, that the main delay will now stem from trying to find a punishment Ballmer will accept.
Moving on from PTFO, there was more news from esteemed ESPN journalist Baxter Holmes.
Holmes confirmed that the investigation could drag well into 2027 if the parties involved don’t agree on the findings or any proposed settlement that involves punishing the team and/or player.
In that case, a neutral arbitrator would have to be jointly appointed by the NBA and NBPA. After a hearing, the arbitrator’s ruling would be subject to an appeals panel made up of three people – also jointly appointed by the NBA and NBPA. Their decision would be binding, and would determine whether Silver can actually dole out punishment.
The players’ union is believed to be ready to take the matter to arbitration if the league seeks to penalize Leonard without sufficient evidence proving wrongdoing.
As a reminder, punishments can include team fines up to $7.5 million, draft-pick forfeiture, voiding of the player’s contract, and suspensions of up to one year for any team personnel involved.
Bulletproof evidence or full agreement on the findings and proposed settlement are the two paths to a faster conclusion. NBPA executive director David Kelly stated in the ESPN report that none of what he’s seen thus far from Wachtell Lipton’s findings is worthy of punishment, but we have no idea what he’s actually seen.
There is a growing belief now, with reporting that the investigation is in fact over and the league is sifting through its findings, that the main delay will now stem from trying to find a punishment Ballmer will accept. At the end of the day, this is the richest owner in the league and the estimated third-richest owner in all of sports, and Silver will want to maintain that relationship.
Source: https://raptorsinseven.substack.com/p/breaking-down-the-latest-kawhi-details