Clippers-Raptors Trade Still Unclear After NBA’s Reported Kawhi Leonard Verdict

The first major break in the NBA's investigation in the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard in a long time was recently revealed after ESPN reported that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was not found to have directly funneled money to Leonard through an endorsement deal with Aspiration, however that doesn't mean that things have been cleared up.

ESPN's article reported that Ballmer may have been free from any direct financial wrongdoing, but there is still an unanswered question as to whether or not the Clippers broke any other kind of rules about making an introduction between Clippers and Aspiration, who were a team sponsor as well. 

The NBA itself has also attempted to refute the report, releasing a statement after the article was published saying that it contained several pieces of inaccurate information, though it wasn't specified what exactly was inaccurate, and that the NBA would reveal everything itself when it's findings from the investigation were complete. 

 LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford (left) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesStill Uncertain

So now there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the investigation and all of the trickle down effects of it remain unanswered, including the Clippers' still-pending trade with the Toronto Raptors for Leonard, which was paused after the Raptors were informed that they would be taking responsibility for any of the penalties that could arise from the investigation.

ESPN's Baxter Holmes recently spoke about the issues surrounding the trade and the unknown factors that are still holding it up and pointed to two important dates that could help push the investigation to a resolution and in turn help speed along the trade process as well.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives the ball while under pressure from San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) during the first half at Intuit Dome. William Liang-Imagn ImagesWhen To Expect Some Answers

The first date that Holmes pointed to was a NBA Board of Governors meeting scheduled for mid-September, where the issue of the investigation will likely take center stage if it isn't resolved by then, and Holmes believes that the meeting, "will serve as kind of an inflection point as to, 'We might have some clarity by then," (via Omer Osman). 

 LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is tied up by Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The second date, if the Board of Governors meeting doesn't help settle the issue, will be when media days and training camps across the NBA are set to begin at the end of September and it will look somewhat more official which players involved in the trade, which include Leonard, Gradey Dick and Brandon Ingram, are set to be playing where when the season begins.

At this point, the delay to this trade stands out as an issue just as significant as any possible fines or suspensions that the Clippers could face because of the investigation and a faster resolution would be better just so both teams involved could know how to move forward by next season, though a resolution of any kind could still be a long time coming.