The Los Angeles Clippers’ alleged circumvention of the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard is one of the offseason’s main stories. Pablo Torre’s reporting on the Aspiraton scandal suggests the NBA superstar was set to make over $48 million from the deal. Fans are naturally in uproar, with media reports suggesting that owners and league executives are also unhappy.
If the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer are actually guilty, this will set a bad precedent within the NBA. Fans losing trust in the league’s rules and ability to enforce them can only have negative consequences. However, according to former NBA champion Richard Jefferson, other players in the league don’t really care about it.
RELATED: NBA Legend Allen Iverson reveals major life change in retirement
Richard Jefferson reveals that players from across the NBA do not care if Kawhi Leonard did get paid an additional $28M under the table:
“Collectively, none of us care if someone got an extra $28M. I’m mad that it wasn’t me! … Players have shown zero outrage.”
(h/t:… pic.twitter.com/wlXvGJK5ZQ
— APHoops (@APH00PS) October 7, 2025
“You can go to the players and say, ’What are your thoughts?’, Jefferson said. “Collectively? None of us can care that someone else got another 28 million. I’m mad that it wasn’t me. We ain’t heard no players complaining. We thought this was an unfair advantage, and with the league, players have shown zero outrage.”
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard poses during media day. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Jefferson went on to point out the effect that superstars can have on the economies of the cities they play in. He cited his former teammate LeBron James’ influence on Cleveland as an example. Indeed, players might not care too much about one of them getting paid, but the league will be worried about what it means for future contract negotiations with superstars.
GET MORE TOP STORIES from The Big Lead by subscribing to TBL YouTube channel
TUESDAY ROUNDUP: Jaguars signature win, Dodgers roll Phillies, and more
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals make drastic quarterback change after trading for Super Bowl champion
CFB: North Carolina cancels Hulu college football documentary after Bill Belichick’s slow start
NBA: 76ers legend Allen Iverson reveals major life change in retirement
SPORTS MEDIA: Travis Kelce’s fiancée Taylor Swift breaks silence on Super Bowl halftime rumors
VIRAL: NFL star Travis Hunter has special moment with woman he previously shared flight with