Kawhi Leonard’s reported $28 million LLC contract with Ballmer’s Clippers group has NBA investigators peering into possible salary-cap violations. The saga mirrors a missed 2019 Lakers pursuit that would have strained the cap, potentially hamstringing the rest of the roster. The piece contrasts Leonard’s aging, injury-prone profile with Luka Dončić’s rising window and LeBron James’ still-productive horizon, framing a tense balance of risk and upside for LA’s franchises.

In the end, the Lakers’ optics look brighter with Dončić’s ascent and LeBron’s longevity in the mix, while the Clippers’ long-term certainty remains murky amid questions about payroll maneuvering and on-court availability. It’s a reminder that teams win and lose in tandem with cap reality and health when big moves loom.