Ripping up Leonard’s current contract would almost certainly draw the ire of the players union and potentially ignite a drawn-out legal battle that could hang over the league for months (years?).
Plus, in the scenario of Leonard’s contract being voided, no teams currently have $50 million of cap space with which to offer Leonard, if he sought a similar deal to the one he’s currently on. And that presents its own playing-field quandary. Getting a player of Leonard’s caliber for, say, the mid-level exception would launch a bizarre sweepstakes the likes of which the NBA has never seen.
You thought the Warriors getting Durant in 2016 because of a cap spike was unfair? Imagine if the Oklahoma City Thunder get Leonard for $8.5 million, what remains of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, per Keith Smith’s cap analysis. How ‘bout them apples?
27 comments
So he can no show for another job?
Denver has MLE still i think. That would be best spot for him
it makes no sense to punish the Clippers by voiding Kawhi’s contract.
If they wanted to punish, add the $28M to the Clippers cap, and make them pay the associated luxury tax.
If found true, there’s going to be a lengthy suspension for him. Likely season-long. And next season he’d be reinstated when 10+ teams are expected to have $30M or more in cap space.
Warriors have plenty of roster spots open. And plenty of local fintech companies.
He never plays. You’re paying for nothing.
Honestly I’m sick to my stomach about this story. If it really is true, I say vacate all the Clippers NBA championships
Kawhi will sign with your team if the owner can make up the 50 mil difference some other way …
I’d rather see Kawhi banned for life than any other punishment.
They could
Punish Kawhi by making him stay with the clippers.
This is different from the Joe Smith case. He knows what he is signing for. No way he won’t got suspended after the contract is voided
Why is all the discussion about punishing the clippers and ignoring Kawhi? His agent (uncle) is the one who agreed to the deal so both should get some type of suspension/ban of sorts. Taking some first round picks, and also suspend Kawhi for a season while his salary is still on the books.
for everyone trying to punish Ballmer with money, he is in the top 10 for richest people alive. Over $100 billion.
It makes no sense for the NBA to void Kawhis contract and allow him to continue to play. If that happens he’ll be suspended too
NBA can’t shake that it’s a reality show. Of course this drama comes out during the week the NFL is back. Just like the Luka trade happened right before the superbowl
Not that I’m out here demanding justice be brought down on Kawhi, but he’s the other half of this –
If punishments are being handed out, I’d think there’d have to be something done beyond a void contract and the ability for him to play basketball with a different team this season.
I don’t think Leonard needs to ring Chase enough that he’d willingly live in OKC. If he’s forced to leave the clippers he’s going to NY, CA, or one of his previous stops.
I feel like if Kawhi’s contract does get voided surely the NBA would also suspend him. It’s not like he’s an innocent party after all.
He should probably be suspended for this.
He’s not a disabled child with no power of attorney held by his uncle or some shit. That’s a grown ass man capable of understanding he was receiving under the table money.
Punish him by playing him 82 games.
Forget Kawhi. What teams really need are developers, developers, developers, developers, developers…
clippers really did all this to never get to the finals and 1 conference final
Does Haberstroh not believe Kawhi would be suspended if his current contract was voided? I mean that seems a sensible assumption
Force Kawhi to play to pay off the damages
2 year suspension minimum
This is the defining moment for Silver
Hot take? Both kawhi and Ballmer get a slap on the wrist and this get swept under the rug. I bet this happens a whole lot through all major sports, and the leagues know about it.