Kawhi Leonard case with the Los Angeles Clippers shines a light on cap circumvention and the shadow deals that could distort rosters under a salary cap. The NBA’s response will shape how fantasy managers value players and how teams juggle guarantees, taxes, and incentives in a soft-cap era.

Across leagues, owners who want to win may flirt with off-book structures; the logic is simple: higher payrolls can tilt championships. If Silver sets a precedent, expect more scrutiny, creative contracts, and sharper risk assessment for fantasy and betting strategies in both NBA and NHL markets.