ESPN's Stephen A. Smith expressed strong disapproval of Kawhi Leonard following the Los Angeles Clippers' recent salary cap scandal. On First Take, Smith condemned the NBA's lenient punishment of Leonard, who was fined $700,000 for his involvement while the Clippers faced a historic $30 million fine and the loss of five first-round draft picks.
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According to investigations, Leonard and his uncle, Dennis Robertson, were linked to improper financial deals involving sponsors such as Aspiration and Daktronics. These dealings prompted federal and SEC investigations as well as a five-year NBA ban for Robertson. Despite the turmoil, Leonard avoided any suspension and successfully negotiated his return to the Toronto Raptors, even waiving a $7.45 million trade kicker to facilitate his move.
Smith criticized Leonard for allowing the Clippers to bear the brunt of the scandal, stating he 'pointed the finger at somebody else' while escaping significant repercussions. He emphasized the disparity in penalties, highlighting that Leonard's fine was insignificant compared to his nearly $50 million annual salary. In Smith's view, Leonard managed to evade accountability while the Clippers' organization suffered severe consequences.