Who could've predicted Kawhi Leonard's homecoming would be such a catastrophic failure?
Fresh off a historic championship with the Toronto Raptors, his second Finals MVP award, and a whirlwind free-agency process that had media and fans on both sides of the border completely enthralled, the Los Angeles-native arrived home to a hero's welcome in the summer of 2019.
The Clippers, having acquired Leonard and Paul George in one fell swoop, were the toast of the NBA. But however pure Leonard's basketball intentions might have been, there's no sugarcoating the result: the Clippers' seven-year Leonard era was a franchise-crippling disaster.
The nail in the coffin was hammered home Wednesday when commissioner Adam Silver threw the book at the Clippers for their role in a Leonard-related cap-circumvention scandal. It had been alleged that the Clippers funneled tens of millions of dollars to Leonard - cap-hit free - through no-show endorsement deals, including with companies team owner Steve Ballmer had invested in. Following an investigation by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which reportedly didn't find evidence of any funneling, the league punished the Clippers for the following violations:
- Initiating off-court income opportunities between Leonard and four companies doing business with the team (Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance)
- Facilitating endorsement agreements between those companies and Leonard
- Inducing the companies to enter into those agreements by offering them business from the team
- Paying personal expenses on behalf of Leonard and his representatives
- Failing to report improper solicitations for off-court income opportunities made on Leonard's behalf through his then-business manager (and uncle), Dennis Robertson
The Clippers have said they will vigorously challenge these findings, while Leonard accepted responsibility for lapses in judgement by people within his inner circle. The long list of consequences include $30 million in team fines, a $700,000 penalty for Leonard, and the suspension of various team personnel, including Ballmer and president Lawrence Frank.
However, the most severe punishment will see the Clippers forfeit five first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033.
Keep in mind that as a precursor to landing Leonard in 2019, the Clippers famously traded away Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and control of what turned out to be six first-rounders - including four of L.A.'s own picks - to acquire George. In totality, employing Leonard cost the Clippers a two-time MVP, 10 first-round picks outright, and a first-round pick swap, with L.A. surrendering control of its own first-rounder nine times in 12 years (between 2022 and 2033).
An optimist might say that by trading Leonard back to the Raptors - whenever that deal is finally consummated - the Clippers recouped two firsts and a swap, so his tumultuous tenure only cost the team eight picks (rather than 11). But even that pending transaction comes with a catch. It stands to reason that Leonard's baggage - plus the fact he was entering a contract year and had reportedly telegraphed that he'd only sign an extension with Toronto - suppressed his trade value.
Essentially, Leonard's parting gift after all the scandal, injuries, and disappointment was seizing any leverage the Clippers may have had in league-wide trade negotiations.
And what do the Clippers have to show for Leonard's unfathomably costly tenure? A .587 win percentage, three playoff series victories (one of which Leonard was sidelined for), and a 60% attendance record from their franchise player.
Has any athlete in sports history, let alone one as undeniably great as Leonard, ever cost his team so much or left his club in such disarray after doing so little?
Leonard was still sublime when healthy. The future Hall of Famer averaged roughly 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two stocks on 62% true shooting as a Clipper, earning four All-Star selections, four All-NBA selections, and MVP votes in three separate seasons. But all of this clearly isn't what the Clippers signed up for, mortgaged their future for, or apparently sold their soul for.
In pivoting to their own handcuffed version of a rebuild over the last seven months, the Clippers managed to turn Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac into two-time All-Stars Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram, incoming rookie guard Keaton Wagler, and four first-rounders. But this team is still miles away from anything resembling contention, and without control of their own first-round pick until at least 2034.
Given the organization's alleged misconduct, no one will shed tears for Ballmer or the Clippers, but it's hard not to feel for the team's fans. Those long-tortured supporters now have to watch Leonard, fresh off what amounts to a $700,000 slap on the wrist, compete for titles again north of the border.
Meanwhile, to rebound from these devastating penalties, the Clippers' only hope seems to be capitalizing on free agency by using the lure of Los Angeles; a destination market in which they very much remain the city's other team.
Leonard was supposed to help the Clippers finally escape from that purple and gold shadow. Instead, he ultimately brought the franchise to its knees.
Joseph Casciaro is theScore's lead NBA reporter.
