The NBA is investigating allegations against Jerry West and the LA Clippers regarding Kawhi Leonard’s free recruitment in 2019, a league source confirmed to ESPN.
TMZ Sports reported this week that a man who claims to be close to Leonard has filed a lawsuit against West and the Clippers, claiming West owed him $ 2.5 million for helping the Clippers sign Leonard.
The NBA’s investigation into the allegations was first reported by The Athletic.
According to TMZ Sports, Johnny Wilkes claims that he informed West, a Clippers consultant, in April 2019 that he had close ties with Leonard and the All-Star’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, and that he could and has provided essential information to Clippers to help. Leonard’s land in free service.
The lawsuit alleges that Wilkes asked for $ 2.5 million for his assistance and that West agreed to the terms. Wilkes is demanding $ 2.5 million plus damages per TMZ Sports.
“I deny that I have been guilty of any inappropriate conduct in connection with Kawhi Leonard’s signing,” West told TMZ Sports.
The NBA’s investigation would cover “Other Indirect Contact”, as described in Section 35A (3) of the NBA Constitution, which “prohibits indirect communications such as those through intermediaries”.
The Clippers can be fined up to $ 10 million and lose design choices if they are found to have broken the rule.
The Clippers signed Leonard to a $ 103.1 million three-year deal with a player option for the 2021-22 season in July 2019. The two-time Final MVP joined the Clippers after having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, four unprotected firsts. traded. round NBA draft picks, one protected first-round pick, and two first-round pick swaps to Oklahoma City for Paul George.
George signed a maximum contract extension last week that will guarantee a whopping $ 226 million over the next five years.