The NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers is reaching a critical stage, according to reporting from The Athletic and echoed by Yahoo Sports. The sources say the fact-finding portion of the league’s inquiry appears to be close to completion or may already be finished, as the NBA’s outside law firm completes its review.
However, the reporting indicates that the investigation’s progress does not automatically clear the way for Leonard’s proposed return to the Toronto Raptors. Even if the law firm’s information-gathering phase wraps up, the proposed trade arrangement remains on hold, with further steps or outstanding parts of the NBA’s process still affecting timing.
The articles frame the situation as one where the legal and procedural outcome could influence whether and when the Raptors deal can proceed. Both outlets attribute their information to comments discussed on the “Rich Eisen Show,” with The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov describing the investigation’s status and its implications for the trade talks.
