The NBA has launched an investigation into allegations that Los Angeles Clippers executive board member Jerry West agreed to pay a man who claims to be a friend of Kawhi Leonard $2.5 million for help in getting the two-time Finals MVP to join his hometown club in the 2019 off-season, according to multiple reports.
TMZ reported Monday that Johnny Wilkes -- who claims to have close ties to Leonard and his uncle, Dennis Robertson -- alleges in a new lawsuit that West has not paid him for his work in creating a gameplan to bring the superstar to Los Angeles and helping to facilitate a deal.
Per The Athletic's Sam Amick and Marc Stein of the New York Times, the league is looking into the claims.
Amick reports the Clippers are pushing back hard against the allegations and insist they're a farce.
In a statement obtained by Stein on Thursday night, the Clippers said the lawsuit is "replete with inaccuracies and the allegations are baseless."
Leonard, for his part, told reporters Thursday night that Wilkes played no role in his decision to join the Clippers.
"Not at all. That has nothing to do with me. I'm from L.A. and I grew up here my whole life, out here people try to find any way to get some money, but he probably won't be the last," he said.
Amick says the NBA has been watching the Clippers closely since they investigated the team over allegations of improper benefits being given to Leonard in their wooing of him during the 2019 free-agency process. And, if the allegation are found to be true, could be facing the prospect of not only heavy fines and/or suspensions, but losing draft picks.
Leonard signed a three-year, $103-million contract, with an opt-out in 2021, with the Clippers in 2019, fresh off leading the Toronto Raptors to their first championship in franchise history.
