Embiid’s health remains the Sixers’ biggest question mark heading into 2025-26. He played 19 games in 2024-25 and needed a second knee surgery, after a prior left knee meniscus issue and a late-season scope. Philadelphia’s lofty ambitions collided with injuries and chemistry problems, fueling a lottery miss. A countering storyline: Paul George’s arrival alongside Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain injects star power and depth, with top draft pick V.J. Edgecombe adding upside. George’s own knee rehab muddies the early outlook, but healthy returners plus youth give Philly real rebound potential.

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.

Silver launches a formal NBA probe into a Clippers-Aspiration sponsorship tied to Kawhi Leonard’s 2021 deal, raising the specter of salary-cap circumvention and penalties that could include fines or draft-pick forfeitures. The saga intertwines Ballmer’s wealth, Leonard’s no-show clause, and a high-stakes off-court arrangement, with the potential to reshape cap rules and team-building in LA.

Fantasy managers should monitor the investigation’s outcomes, as any cap adjustments or sanctions could ripple through Clippers’ rotation and budget, affecting player usage and value. The story underscores how off-court deals can influence on-court value in a league where cap discipline and star salaries drive roster strategy.