The Kawhi Leonard era with the Los Angeles Clippers appears to be nearing its inevitable conclusion, marred by injuries and now a serious NBA investigation. A former Clippers staffer summarized the organization’s sentiment to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, stating plainly, “They’re done building around [Kawhi]. They know that and he knows that.” This shift in focus comes after years of accommodating the star’s unique demands and managing his frequent unavailability, which has seen him miss over 200 games since 2019. The ongoing probe into a potential salary cap circumvention scheme has only accelerated the desire for a fresh start.

This internal push to move on has now collided with Leonard’s own future plans, creating a dramatic storyline for the Los Angeles basketball scene. New reports are surfacing that detail not only the growing frustration within the Clippers’ organization but also a clear contingency plan from Kawhi Leonard himself should Steve Ballmer decide to finally cut the cord, setting the stage for a potential seismic shift in the city’s NBA power structure.

The news broke via a detailed post on Instagram from the account @Durant, which cited multiple sources close to the situation. The post claimed, “Multiple sources close to #KawhiLeonard confirm the former All-Star has ZERO interest in leaving #LosAngeles.” It went on to reveal Leonard’s specific plan, stating, “If Steve Ballmer decides to move on, insiders say the #LA native is prepared to sign with the #Lakers for whatever number fits their books.” This would represent a stunning cross-town move for the two-time Finals MVP.

This potential exit is fuelled by more than just availability issues. The organization is reeling from what one rival GM called a “f—ing disaster deal” in retrospect. The ongoing NBA investigation into Leonard’s $28 million endorsement with the bankrupt company Aspiration, which owner Steve Ballmer invested heavily in, has allegedly created a massive scandal. The Clippers have maintained that Ballmer was “duped” by the company, but the alleged financial ties have created an untenable situation, with staffers urging Ballmer to “get out of the Kawhi business” to protect his own reputation and the franchise’s future.

The background math and timeline make the possibility real. Investigative pieces by Pablo Torres and corporate filings show heavy cash flows to Aspiration between 2021 and 2023, including large carbon credit payments from the Clippers and a nearly $10 million Ballmer investment in March 2023 when the company was publicly struggling. Those dates line up with Aspiration payments to Leonard. That overlap is why the NBA has re-opened an old probe into whether commitments outside payroll were used to sweeten Leonard’s deal. Teams that play by the rules are watching closely because the penalties for circumvention can be severe.

If Ballmer decides to cut Leonard loose, the Lakers are a logical landing spot for the player who says he wants to remain in Los Angeles. The Lakers have championship pieces under contract and can explore a buyout or a sign and trade depending on cap room and medical assessments. At the same time, the Clippers are trying to preserve future cap flexibility and draft assets. Building toward 2026 and 2027 free agent classes is now openly discussed among league insiders as the Clippers’ likely next phase. Which is why some in the organization and in rival front offices believe parting ways sooner would make strategic sense.

The narrative is not settled. Ballmer and the Clippers maintain they were defrauded and that corporate sponsorship work and investments were separate from player deals. The team’s public reply stressed carbon offset commitments and the arena’s sustainability work as context for the payments. Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league will take its time and look for proof rather than appearances. Still, hard evidence in published timelines and bank records is what pushed this from rumor into a full blown league review, and that is making owners and general managers uncomfortable.

Will the NBA Ban Kawhi Leonard & Steve Ballmer?

Investigator Pablo Torre has continued to follow the paper trail that shows roughly $118 million flowing to Aspiration from Ballmer, the Clippers and related parties across an 18 month span. That sum, and the timing of several payments, is the fuel for questions about whether money intended for business deals was used in ways that impacted player compensation. The timeline is the core of the league probe and explains why this matter is no longer just internal noise.

The league’s timetable complicates matters for everyone. “The NBA does not expect to have a resolution on the Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention investigation until after the All Star Game,” an NBA insider recently tweeted, noting the 2026 All Star Game is scheduled to be hosted at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome. That delay leaves the story simmering through a full league season and increases scrutiny on how the NBA enforces its rules while its marquee event sits in the center of the controversy.

Public pressure is also rising thanks to commentary from other owners and executives. Mark Cuban has publicly pushed reporters to examine the carbon credit angle and the pattern of payments, writing that investigators should look into whether Ballmer and Dennis Wong were the only outside investors when Aspiration needed money badly. Cuban’s voice adds a rare cross owner critique that elevates the stakes beyond a single franchise dispute.

The league’s findings will determine the severity of the punishment. Historical precedent, like the Minnesota Timberwolves losing five first-round picks for a secret deal with Joe Smith, suggests penalties could be harsh. Potential consequences include massive fines, the forfeiture of draft picks, and even the voiding of Leonard’s current contract. While a full ban for Leonard or Ballmer is considered unlikely, the league’s slow and thorough process indicates they are treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness. Leaving the Clippers’ future hanging in the balance for the entire season.

The slow timetable gives the team time to prepare contingencies, manage public relations and make roster plans in a way that could blunt immediate damage. But long term, if the NBA finds coordinated circumvention, penalties can include fines, lost draft picks and contract voiding, which would reshape the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard’s future in Los Angeles.