NBA Is SHOCKED After Lakers’ New $100M Offer For Kawhi Leonard!

How could fans not be furious? The Lakers trade for Luka was already eyebrow‑raising, but then getting Kawhi Leonard — after failing to land him years ago — feels like salt in the wound. Recent reports suggest the Lakers are preparing a $100 million offer for Kawhi just as his contract with the Clippers is under threat of voiding over a $28M “fraud scandal.” If true, this would be a blockbuster swing — six years later — at stealing a superstar they once lost.

This isn’t normal free agency. The twist is that the Clippers’ deal with Kawhi might be declared null. Allegations emerged that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used a company called Aspiration — a firm he invested in — to funnel $28 million to Kawhi under a “no‑show” endorsement deal. The idea: Kawhi would be paid extra, but without performing work, as a way to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. The allegations say the contract even included a clause voiding the endorsement deal if Kawhi left the Clippers.

If the NBA declares that contract void, Kawhi would hit the market without the Clippers getting anything in return — unlike a normal trade scenario. That’s what’s fueling talk that the Lakers might swoop in. They’d only need to create salary cap space, rather than sacrificing stars or picks in a trade. The basketball fit makes sense: Kawhi’s two‑way game, scoring and defense, could slot well with LeBron and AD’s strengths.

But it’s risky. Kawhi’s availability has always been a concern — injuries and load management have limited him many seasons. Also, tying the deal to a scandal opens PR and legal landmines. The Lakers have worked hard to build organizational stability; bringing in a player mired in controversy could undercut that.

Still, the upside is massive. If Kawhi’s reputation and market value fall because of these allegations, L.A. might get him at a discount. More than that: catching a rival in a scandal and winning their star would deliver a psychological blow to the Clippers as much as a roster upgrade.

The backstory helps explain how we got here. Back in 2019, when Kawhi was a free agent, his camp — particularly his uncle Dennis Robertson — requested perks that violated the NBA CBA: part ownership, guaranteed off‑court money, private plane use, etc. The Lakers declined, citing integrity. The Clippers reportedly negotiated around those demands and still got Kawhi. Now those same mechanisms are under scrutiny.

Ballmer and the Clippers have denied wrongdoing. Ballmer claims he introduced Kawhi to Aspiration but had no knowledge of the contract terms. The NBA has launched an investigation, with the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz leading it. If violations are confirmed, penalties could include voiding Kawhi’s contract, fines, or loss of draft picks.

For now, the story is still developing. The Lakers are reportedly watching closely, ready to pounce if Kawhi is declared a free agent. Whether they’ll actually make the move depends on the outcome of the investigation and whether they believe the risk is worth the reward.