Kawhi Leonard’s off‑court drama centers on a $28M endorsement tied to a bankrupt tree‑planting outfit funded by Steve Ballmer, allegedly used to sidestep the salary cap. The Clippers’ move could invite league penalties and roil future payroll plans, complicating roster construction in the near term. The talk also points to Lakers’ potential chatter and a broader pattern of gray‑area tactics across the NBA, underscoring why fantasy players should watch how the league enforces rules and how cap enforcement could shift minutes and opportunities on the Clippers and beyond.

For fantasy managers, the key takeaway is risk management. If penalties limit cap space or trigger roster churn, secondary contributors on the Clippers and surrounding teams may gain or lose value quickly. Stay nimble in drafts and be ready to pivot when the league hands down concrete punishment or clarifies rules going forward.