Locked On Celtics (NBA Squad Takeover): Breaking Down the Kawhi Leonard & Steve Ballmer Scandal

Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Nick Angstead (Locked On Mavs), with Rylan Stiles (Locked On Thunder), Philip Rossman-Reich (Locked On Magic), Ryan Blackburn (Locked On Nuggets), Danny Cunningham (Locked On Cavs)
Main Theme: Deep dive into the explosive scandal involving Kawhi Leonard, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and alleged salary cap circumvention through a $28 million “tree-planting” sponsorship.

Episode Overview

This crossover NBA Squad episode, temporarily taking over the Locked On Celtics feed, revolves around the stunning allegations that Kawhi Leonard was paid under the table by an LA Clippers-linked company to skirt NBA salary rules. The hosts debate the credibility of the reporting, what it means for the Clippers, the NBA salary cap, and the wider league, as well as its ripple effects on team-building and All-Star festivities.

The conversation is lively, skeptical, and rooted in seasoned NBA reporting, featuring playful banter and sharp insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Summary of the Kawhi Scandal

• The Allegation: Pablo Torre reports that Kawhi Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement for a no-show consultant role at Aspiration, a fraudulent environmental company, allegedly funded by $50 million from Steve Ballmer, to circumvent the NBA salary cap.

  • "Pablo Tori uncovered this story. He says Kawhi Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal for a no show job with a fraudulent tree planting company called asp... funded by $50 million from the Clippers owner Steve Ballmer." (06:19)

• Clippers’ Response: Clippers categorically deny misconduct:

  • "Any contrary assertion is provably false." (06:39)

• The Skepticism: Hosts question if the NBA can even do much about it, suggesting similar hidden arrangements may exist league-wide.

  • "These things probably do happen across the league that we just don't know about." – Rylan (03:30)

2. Who's Telling the Truth: Pablo Torre or the Clippers?

• Pablo Torre’s Credibility:

  • "Pablo Torre is right more often than he's wrong at this point. He is a legitimate reporter..." – Philip (02:14)

• The Motives for Kawhi’s Decision:

  • Hosts re-examine why Kawhi spurned the Lakers for the Clippers, wondering whether aspired side-deals may have influenced it.
  • "He was supposed to be part of the big three with LeBron and AD and then all of a sudden we're like, wait, it's the Clippers..." – Nick (02:59)

• Business vs. Blunder:

  • If Ballmer orchestrated it, why do it through a company that later went bankrupt and exposed everyone?
  • "If this was your whole shtick, why did you let this company go bankrupt? ...You would likely shuffle money ...in a more safe way..." – Rylan (03:45)

3. Circumventing the Cap: NBA Precedents & Norms

• This Is Not New:
  • Nick recalls past NBA attempts at similar circumventions (Magic Johnson/Lakers owner equity, Magic’s NBA community prizes). The practice is not unprecedented, but the dollar amount for Kawhi is "so excessive it feels like it's a second salary." (05:11)
• Family Ties:
  • "There's been stories about Kawhi's family trying to push him to different places..." (05:21)

4. Potential Punishments & Implications

• League Action:
  • Possibilities: forfeit a draft pick – “The Clippers, they just love giving them away, so what's the difference there?” – Rylan (08:32)
• Joking Alternatives:
  • Ryan (half-seriously) floats reducing the Clippers' fancy urinals at their arena as punishment (09:01); others quip about relocating them to Vegas (09:22).
• Thunder Connection:
  • Debates if OKC should get any forfeited Clippers picks, as PG13 deal paved way for Kawhi (08:50)
• Wider Repercussions:
  • "Does this open up Pandora's box for the rest of the NBA...if the penalty is forfeiting one pick or less?" – Rylan (32:03)

5. What About Other Players or Teams?

• Who Else Could be Doing This?
  • Hosts suggest Jalen Brunson and even Dirk as potential beneficiaries of hidden deals, referencing odd free agency patterns (10:26, 10:47).
  • "There are just things that line up...It doesn't smell right." – Nick (32:39)
• Brunson's Bargain Deal with Knicks:
  • "Unprecedented amount of savings for a team...So, where are you going to make that up?" – Philip (15:34)

6. Reflecting on Kawhi’s ROI

• Low Productivity, High Earnings:
  • "Kawhi hasn't even lived up to his actual contract, let alone, like, the bonus contract that maybe this tree...company has been giving him." – Nick (16:34)
  • "Kawhi has the best plan in life: do enough to get a big contract, but don't do more than you have to." – Nick (16:50)
• Employee Envy:
  • "Even through the voice modulation, you could tell this person is so jealous. Kawhi Leonard got $28 million for doing nothing." – Ryan (17:00)

7. NBA Attempts at Distraction: The All-Star Format Change

• Brief Segment on League PR:
  • Hosts joke the NBA dropped confusing All-Star format news to distract from the scandal (19:04)
  • Confusion and skepticism reign regarding the proposed round-robin, Ryder Cup-style All-Star Game, which no one on the panel seems to want (19:57–24:46)
  • "The All-Star Game is just archaic and unnecessary except for the league trying to sell some business..." – Nick (24:46)

8. What Should the NBA Do?

• David Stern vs. Adam Silver:
  • "David Stern would have done the Joe Smith to them...stripped whatever draft picks he can strip..." – Nick (28:25)
  • The consensus is Silver’s leadership is softer and an NBA investigation will likely turn up nothing substantial.
• Is the Scandal Impactful or Just Ironic?
  • "It both makes the story funny and ironic, but also less impactful because it's not like the Clippers have won a championship..." – Nick (31:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pablo Torre’s Credibility:

  • "Pablo Torre is right more often than he's wrong at this point. He is a legitimate reporter..." – Philip (02:14)

• On NBA Norms:

  • "I feel like this happens a lot more around the league than we think. What I think stood out about this is...it's a second salary." – Nick (05:11)

• On the Clippers’ Potential Punishment:

  • "The punishment for Ballmer should be that...they should have to shut off all the extra [urinals]. League average urinals in the Intuit Dome." – Ryan (09:01)
  • "I think they should make them move to Vegas...The Clippers move to Vegas and then the new LA team is the expansion team." – Nick (09:22)

• On the All-Star Game and NBA Distractions:

  • "It was fun one time with the Elam ending..." – (22:34)
  • "The All-Star Game is just archaic and unnecessary except for the league trying to sell some business..." – Nick (24:46)

• On Roster Construction and Pandora’s Box:

  • "Does this open up Pandora's box for the rest of the NBA...if the penalty is forfeiting one pick or less?" – Rylan (32:03)
  • "Every front office is afraid to give their guys max contracts ... so there is now an incentive to do this stuff under the table." – Nick (34:05)

• On the Scandal's Impact:

  • "It's not like this has dramatically changed the league ... There's no asterisk to anything. It's the Clippers." – Nick (31:08)

Essential Timestamps

• [02:14–03:45]: Pablo Torre’s reporting & motives for Kawhi’s Clippers move
• [05:11–06:19]: NBA salary cap circumvention context—past and present
• [08:32–09:39]: Penalty speculation and lighthearted urinal/relocation jokes
• [10:26–11:06]: Potential similar cases (Jalen Brunson, Dirk Nowitzki)
• [16:34–17:34]: The irony of Kawhi’s performance vs. his payout, with banter about easy money
• [19:04–24:46]: NBA's attempted distraction with All-Star Game format news and panel discussion on its irrelevance
• [28:25–29:26]: What Adam Silver/David Stern might do, futility of NBA’s "investigation"
• [32:03–35:00]: Will this become a league-wide Pandora’s box for creative salary cap circumvention?

Final Thoughts

The hosts agree that, while the scandal shines a rare spotlight on the NBA’s shadowy practices, it's unlikely to lead to game-changing fallout unless more evidence or more impactful results emerge. The episode is rich with humor, historical context, and skepticism about both league governance and the practical value of most NBA showcase events. At stake is not just the Clippers’ reputation, but the evolving global NBA business model and the precarious line between creative team-building and outright cheating.

Listen for sharp (and fun) NBA insight, a healthy dose of cynicism, and the best urinal joke you'll hear in a basketball podcast this year.