Hall of Fame Guard Defends Clippers Amid Kawhi Leonard Investigation

NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway defends the Los Angeles Clippers amid ongoing Kawhi Leonard investigation

Jan 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts to an official's call in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Clippers are the talk of the NBA offseason, but not for the right reasons. They transformed their roster that won 50 games last season into one that is arguably better, adding Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, and John Collins. On paper, they look like a championship contender, but now they have bigger problems.

Last week, the NBA world was shocked to learn allegations against the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard that owner Steve Ballmer allegedly helped Leonard secure just under $50 million in endorsements on a 'no-show deal'. Since then, Ballmer has come forward to deny any wrongdoing, and the NBA has started its investigation.

Adam Silver addressed the ongoing investigation into the Clippers, Steve Ballmer, and Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/OnUHhJ14Et

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 10, 2025

Since then, everyone has started to share their thoughts and opinions on the situation. One of those is NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway, who expressed his candid thoughts on the investigation in an interview with Action Network.

Tim Hardaway Expresses His Thoughts

"Hey, if you can do it, you can do it!" Hardaway said bluntly. "If you get away with it, you get away with it. But I tell you this – where there's smoke, there's fire."

NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently spoke at a press conference after the NBA Board of Governors meeting, sharing that he doesn't know the facts of the case and will leave all of that to the investigation. And according to Hardaway, he has full faith in the NBA to catch the Clippers if they are indeed in the wrong.

Adam Silver:

"I'm reserving judgment because I don't know the facts here. I don't know what Kawhi was paid, I don't know what he or didn't do. Will leave all that for the investigation" pic.twitter.com/XxIdqsxFK9

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) September 10, 2025

"If the NBA thinks that you are wrong about doing stuff like that. They’re gonna get you, they're gonna get you," Hardaway said. "I say this – I'm not for sure. I'm not sure. I’ve heard things. I heard things, just like a lot of people have heard things, that a lot of that has been going on."

Based on Hardaway's overall quote and thoughts, it seems as though NBA teams in the past haven't exactly tried to follow the rules, citing an incident in 1996 with the Miami Heat offering lucrative contracts to both Juwan Hoard and Alonzo Morning.

NBA is investigating allegations stemming from a @PabloTorre report that the Clippers and Steve Ballmer circumvented the league's salary cap by paying Kawhi Leonard for a job with no responsibilities, per @ShamsCharania

Clippers have denied the allegations:… pic.twitter.com/DnwLhqys3Y

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 3, 2025

However, as Hardaway said and is believed by many, the truth will come out one way or another. Based on Ballmer coming forward and denying any wrongdoing on ESPN and welcoming an investigation, it seems as though the Clippers might not face any serious punishments or any punishment in general.

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