Mark Cuban took the side of the embattled Steve Ballmer in the Kawhi Leonard controversy. The Los Angeles Clippers team owner and his team have been accused by podcaster Pablo Torre of circumventing NBA salary cap rules by awarding Leonard a bogus endorsement contract so they can pay him more than what the salary cap allows.
According to the former Dallas Mavericks majority owner, Ballmer is not that stupid to make an illegal move while leaving a clear paper trail that leads back to him. Mark says Steve has more to lose than gain in the situation. However, although he argued with Torre on the latter’s podcast, Cuban left the door open for the investigative report to be correct.
Advertisement
“If your reporting is right, and Steve knew, then it’s over. He’s toast. It’s far worse than Joe Smith,” said Cuban.
The Timberwolves received heavy punishment for Smith’s illegal deal
In 1999, the Minnesota Timberwolves signed then-free agent and former No.1 pick Joe Smith to three cheap one-year deals, less than $3 million apiece. At that time, many wondered why he took the bargain deals when there was more money to be made with other teams. It turned out that Minnesota and Smith also signed a secret deal where they would give him an $86 million contract after they acquired his Bird rights.
Advertisement
However, their scheme was exposed in 2000 when Joe’s agents split, and the NBA received written proof of the illegal deal. Then-NBA Commissioner David Stern ended up voiding Smith’s big contract, fined the Timberwolves $3.5 million, suspended owner Glen Taylor, forced GM Kevin McHale to go on leave, and forced the Timberwolves to forfeit five first-round picks. Similarly, Cuban thinks the same type of punishment will be levied on the Clippers if they are proven guilty.
“There’s a good chance that it’d only be the owner at that point in time,” Mark added. “Lawrence Frank has been through it forever. If he did tell Lawrence and the assistant GMs, they’re fu—d too. Their careers are toast. And there’s a 99 percent chance that at some point it comes out, as they try to protect their careers. That’s one. Two, the agent is going to be in deep s—t as well, if it ever comes out. And the agent, he’s got to be involved at some level. And so the agent, I don’t know if what other clients they have, they’re fu—d too. And so you’ve got a multi-billion dollar franchise at risk, you’ve got the general manager’s job, you’ve got the agent’s job, and you’ve got Uncle Dennis who doesn’t have any leverage.”
Ballmer denied the accusations but welcomed the league’s investigation
Meanwhile, Ballmer granted ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne an exclusive interview on Thursday to refute the allegations made against him. While he admitted to investing in the now-bankrupt tree-planting company, the former Microsoft CEO said that he, like many billionaires, was scammed by Aspiration.
Advertisement
Ballmer also claimed he did not have knowledge or control of Aspiration’s transactions with Kawhi or any client for that matter because he was a mere minority owner who did not have authority over its dealings.
“I had no control over this company. I owned less than three percent of the company,” said Ballmer. “I had no board seat. I had no control. Heck, it was a fraudulent company. It’s possible nobody had any control.”
After what he said was a good three-hour conversation with Torre, Cuban said he remained on Team Ballmer’s side of the issue. The NBA announced that it has commenced an investigation into the matter, and only time will tell if Mark or Pablo is right.
Advertisement
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.