NBA Breaks Silence on Lawsuit Against Clippers for Alleged Kawhi Leonard Treatment

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It was reported on Thursday by NBA insider Chris Haynes that the LA Clippers are being sued by a former trainer who has accused the team of wrongful termination and “illegal” treatment for Kawhi Leonard’s injuries.
Via Haynes: “Former Los Angeles Clippers trainer Randy Shelton is suing the franchise for wrongful termination, among other things, after he claims he was fired after complaining that Kawhi Leonard was being subjected to unsafe and illegal treatment for injuries.”
Haynes also provided a statement from the Clippers that read, “Mr. Shelton’s claims were investigated and found to be without merit. We honored Mr. Shelton’s employment contract and paid him in full. This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations that Mr. Shelton should know are false.”
The Clippers issued me a statement, disputing the claims: “Mr. Shelton’s claims were investigated and found to be without merit. We honored Mr. Shelton’s employment contract and paid him in full. This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations… https://t.co/DpjsVr4mg7
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 24, 2024
In an update on Friday, Haynes provided a statement from the NBA.
“We are reviewing the court filings in this matter,” the NBA said through a spokesperson.
NBA spokesperson on the lawsuit and allegations filed against the Clippers by a former trainer who worked with Kawhi Leonard: “We are reviewing the court filings in this matter.”
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 25, 2024
The entire lawsuit was shared by Haynes in an extensive thread on X.
“Lawsuit filed today against Clippers by Kawhi Leonard’s personal trainer that includes allegations of tampering years prior to signing the star,” Haynes wrote.
Lawsuit filed today against Clippers by Kawhi Leonard’s personal trainer that includes allegations of tampering years prior to signing the star.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 24, 2024
Thread: pic.twitter.com/Txwq35DGfh
As Haynes added, the allegations also include tampering from the Clippers when Leonard was with the Toronto Raptors. With the NBA now aware of the lawsuit, it will be interesting to see what their review produces.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.
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