Source: basketnews.com
ESPN insider Shams Charania has shed light on why the NBA chose not to void the contract of Kawhi Leonard, forward for the Toronto Raptors, nor suspend the player himself after penalizing the Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention.
Charania explained, “I have certainly seen discussions questioning whether the league was too lenient in this situation. However, the reality is that the NBA found itself in a difficult position due to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and the presence of a players’ union. Therefore, if the league intended to void Kawhi Leonard’s contract or suspend him, it would have needed to provide the union with comprehensive evidence to justify such a course of action.
Looking at the report, it becomes clear that the league did not have such evidence. The only individual banned from working in the NBA was Dennis Robertson—Kawhi’s uncle, who Leonard himself dismissed in June. If the league was going to void a player’s contract, it would require an ironclad case. Otherwise, it would face a significant number of lawsuits and arbitrations involving the players’ union. Clearly, the NBA chose to avoid engaging in such a legal battle,” Charania stated.
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