Kawhi Leonard’s Aspiration endorsement with Steve Ballmer’s Clippers is at the center of an NBA cap‑circumvention debate. The deal reportedly required no actual endorsement, prompting questions about undisclosed payments and league rules. The piece surveys potential penalties—from fines and draft picks to more severe sanctions—using the Joe Smith case as a historical benchmark. The investigation’s trajectory could affect the Clippers’ roster, cap space, and even the timing of the 2026 All‑Star spectacle.