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[Los Angeles Clippers]

Clippers Coach Gets Honest About Crucial Second-Half Lineup Change On Thursday

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue had some difficult choices to make during Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

He has a list of talented players on his roster, but not all of them can get minutes during every single game.

On Thursday, he elected to play “small ball” against the Nuggets, and it is one of the reasons why the Clippers beat them 111-105.

Following the game, he spoke with ESPN about why he chose the route and how it paid off.

“When we went small with that shooting lineup, we were able to break the game open a little bit,” Lue said. “That gave James and Kawhi more spacing and they were able to attack more.”

In the second half of the game, Lue chose to play Nicolas Batum instead of Kris Dunn.

Dunn is more focused on defense, but it was clear that the Nuggets had figured him out and weren’t too worried about him.

Lue felt that Batum would be a better fit for what the Clippers were trying to do, and he was right.

Instead of attempting to intimidate with size, Lue’s Clippers went with a more offense-focused lineup, one that was smaller but more effective.

After the game, he thanked some of the players who had to sit on the bench because of his roster choices.

This is exactly what is needed during the playoffs: coaches have to make adjustments on the fly, and they sometimes favor one player over another.

It can lead to stars missing minutes and even full games.

But it is all for the good of the team and enhances their chances of winning.

Lue obviously made the right choices on Thursday, and now he will try to do it again for Game 7.

The post Clippers Coach Gets Honest About Crucial Second-Half Lineup Change On Thursday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/clipper...rucial-second-half-lineup-change-on-thursday/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Tyronn Lue Reveals What He Did To Prepare Clippers For Game 6

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers needed to win their Thursday night game against the Denver Nuggets, or else their season would be over.

That meant everyone, from the players to the coaches to the fans, would need to be tuned in and ready to give 100 percent.

That’s exactly what happened.

Following LA’s 111-105 win, head coach Tyronn Lue spoke about getting his players in the right headspace for the game.

“I had a lot of phone calls,” Lue said. “A lot of phone calls. Just talking to the guys, being positive. Making sure they understood that we didn’t play our best [in Game 5] and our attention to detail wasn’t good.”

Instead of sending a text or an email to everyone, Lue made sure to reach out to each of his stars and get them all on the same page.

It was important for him to reiterate that they didn’t play their best in Game 5, and another performance like that would cost them the series and the season.

No one knows the specifics of what Lue said to his squad, but it obviously worked because several stars came out swinging in Game 6.

James Harden led the way with 28 points, six rebounds, and 8 assists.

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard was right behind him with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Norman Powell put up 24 points.

Now the series is tied 3-3, but the final game of the series will be held in Denver.

That will be LA’s toughest match yet, and everything is on the line.

But Game 6 was proof to everyone that the Clippers can bounce back after a bad performance and find their footing again.

Will it provide motivation for a must-win Game 7?

The post Tyronn Lue Reveals What He Did To Prepare Clippers For Game 6 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/tyronn-lue-reveals-what-he-did-to-prepare-clippers-for-game-6/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Clippers Executive Reveals Update About James Harden’s Future

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

James Harden and his Los Angeles Clippers didn’t get far in the playoffs, but they still enjoyed their most successful season together.

What’s next for Harden and his team?

Speaking with ESPN, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank made it clear that he wants Harden to pick up his player option this summer.

“We have a great level of appreciation for what James did this year,” Frank said. “I’m going in with the intent that if he doesn’t pick up his option that we’re going to be able to reach an agreement that works well for James and works well for the Clippers.”

There is a possibility, of course, that Harden elects not to take his player option and try his chances with free agency.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Harden left a team, even when it was doing well.

But Harden seems to be a good fit with Los Angeles, and the team clearly wants him to stick around.

Fans shouldn’t be too frightened if they see headlines of Harden saying no to his player option.

That just means the Clippers and Harden’s management team have to hash out a new deal and see eye-to-eye about their future.

It may require some negotiating, but there is a very good chance that Harden will be back with the Clippers next season, no matter what happens with his player option.

It is important to note that the Clippers have the oldest roster in the NBA, and they need to be thinking of their future.

They want Harden to remain, but they also cannot pay too much or give up all of their future prospects and options to get him.

Both sides will have to be smart and strategic to get what they want.

The post Clippers Executive Reveals Update About James Harden’s Future appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/clippers-executive-reveals-update-about-james-hardens-future/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Western Conference Team Named As ‘Dark Horse’ In Kevin Durant Trade Talks

(Photo by Kent J. Edwards/Getty Images)

Kevin Durant has been among the most talked-about players in the NBA over the past few years.

When he’s at his best, he is one of the best athletes in the league, and some say he’s among the best players the league has ever seen.

While his on-court play is spectacular for the most part, Durant hasn’t been the happiest with his teams throughout the years.

His discontent with the Phoenix Suns is evident, and both sides have been trying to mend the situation for several months.

Ideally, Durant would join a contender, a team that he feels he could win a ring with, and the Suns could get a haul of picks and players in a potential deal.

Who that trade partner might be remains to be seen, and to this point, several candidates have popped up.

One interesting team that he could land with is the Los Angeles Clippers, as John Gambadoro noted via NBA Central on X.

The Clippers are a dark horse to watch in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, per @Gambo987

(h/t @esidery ) pic.twitter.com/gmiN2JMsUu

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 5, 2025

The Clippers showed some promise during the regular season and playoffs, but they fell short of their goal of making it to the NBA Finals.

A player like Durant could certainly help them get to the next level, adding a veteran player with plenty of experience.

It will be difficult for any new team to break through in the 2025-2026 season, with plenty of Western Conference teams having strong rosters.

Durant is certainly on a short list of players who could help take a team from good to great in a hurry, instantly making his next team one to watch moving forward.

The post Western Conference Team Named As ‘Dark Horse’ In Kevin Durant Trade Talks appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/western-conference-team-named-as-dark-horse-in-kevin-durant-trade-talks/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

LaVar Ball Reveals How Clippers Can Win A Title

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/BIG3/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Hornets continue to stand by their franchise cornerstone despite mounting pressure to trade LaMelo Ball to a playoff contender.

While trade speculation swirls around the talented point guard, the organization shows no signs of wavering in its commitment to building around him.

LaVar Ball has inserted himself back into the conversation surrounding his son’s future.

He recently took to Instagram with a message that started as indifference but quickly shifted into a direct appeal to one specific franchise.

“All you fans who want a championship back in L.A…YES! Whole new arena with the Ball boys? You’re going to want to come and watch that show. But if you want a championship, (Steve) Ballmer, I’m talking to you…go get them Ball boys and let’s ball!” LaVar Ball said.

LaVar Ball continues to push for the LA Clippers to “quit playing” and trade for LaMelo Ball:

“The Clippers! Bring those god damn Ball boys home and let’s go get this championship and quit messing around. All you fans who want a championship back in LA. Yes! Whole new arena with… pic.twitter.com/LHOWyts6G2

— APHoops (@APH00PS) June 16, 2025

The elder Ball’s pitch to the Los Angeles Clippers isn’t his first public campaign for reuniting his sons in Los Angeles.

His vision of all three Ball brothers playing together remains a persistent theme in his media appearances.

However, the logistics present significant challenges.

While Lonzo Ball could serve as a valuable backup point guard for the Clippers, fitting LaMelo alongside James Harden creates obvious complications. Both players need the ball in their hands to maximize their effectiveness.

The injury concerns surrounding both Ball brothers add another layer of risk to any potential move.

LaMelo’s availability has been his greatest obstacle throughout five NBA seasons.

Each missed game reinforces questions about his long-term durability.

Charlotte faces a delicate timing situation with their star player.

LaMelo’s trade value remains high, but continued injury problems could erode his market value.

Many believe the Hornets should capitalize on his current value rather than risk further depreciation.

The post LaVar Ball Reveals How Clippers Can Win A Title appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/lavar-ball-reveals-how-clippers-can-win-a-title/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Odds Show Betting Favorite To Land Ben Simmons

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

When Ben Simmons came into the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers rejoiced.

He was supposed to be the answer to many of their problems, a player some heralded as a can’t-miss prospect.

After missing the entirety of his first season with an injury, Simmons came back with a vengeance, winning Rookie of the Year and silencing the doubters who spoke ill of him while he was injured.

Fans believed this was the start of something great for the 76ers, but it only took a few seasons for things to unravel.

Simmons’ time in the spotlight faded rather quickly, and after just four seasons, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

Things didn’t pick up for him there, and after a few years, he made his way to the Los Angeles Clippers this season, where he wasn’t necessarily a strong scoring contributor, but he did add value to the roster.

With that in mind, odds seem to indicate that Simmons will re-sign with the Clippers, as Bovada Sportsbook has him at +375 to return, via NBA Central on X.

Odds on Ben Simmons’ next chapter:

Los Angeles Clippers (+375)
Cleveland Cavaliers (+475)
Sports media / broadcasting (+550)
esports / gaming content creation (+650)
Houston Rockets (+700)
Create a fashion or lifestyle brand (+700)
NBL (+800)
Philadelphia 76ers (+1400)
Modeling… pic.twitter.com/mURHjdDiRm

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 18, 2025

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the next best odds at +475, but things get interesting after that.

Three of the next four destinations for Simmons aren’t NBA teams, but rather alternate careers that would seemingly end his basketball career.

Simmons hasn’t publicly said he’s looking to get away from the game, but betting odds can sometimes dictate what’s happening behind the scenes.

This will be a situation to monitor moving forward, especially for NBA fans who are interested to see where he’ll end up.

The post Odds Show Betting Favorite To Land Ben Simmons appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/odds-show-betting-favorite-to-land-ben-simmons/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Kawhi Leonard Reveals His Unique 2-Word Basketball Term In China

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers is one of the trickiest, most confident shooters in the league.

He is so confident, in fact, that he has a magical phrase he uses when he knows the ball is going in the basket.

While speaking on the sidelines of a recent basketball event in China, Leonard revealed what he says when he feels good about his shooting.

“When I shoot the ball and I know it’s going in, I say, ‘WET BALL,'” Leonard said.

“When I shoot the ball and I know it's going in, I say, ‘WET BALL’”

– Kawhi

(via @836758160Joy / h/t @TomerAzarly )

pic.twitter.com/tBRqSMNeeK

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 26, 2025

Leonard probably says “wet ball” often because it feels like he rarely ever misses.

Last season, Leonard averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 49.8 percent from the field and 41.1 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Those percentages were actually a bit down from the years before, but they were still incredibly impressive.

Leonard plays with a quiet and unquestionable confidence.

He moves like he knows exactly what he’s doing and where the ball is going, because he does.

The numbers are one thing, but the Clippers were happy with Leonard’s performance last year for other reasons.

Namely, they were excited because he stayed healthy when they needed him most.

Unlike previous seasons, he was ready to go during the playoffs and didn’t suffer from an unfortunate, ill-timed injury.

And during his team’s seven games in the postseason, Leonard put up 25.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

Leonard is shooting well and staying in good shape, but now he needs to keep it up.

The Clippers have big plans for 2025-26, especially with the offseason changes they made.

They will need Leonard to be at the top of his game again if they wish to make a mark in the Western Conference.

The post Kawhi Leonard Reveals His Unique 2-Word Basketball Term In China appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/kawhi-leonard-reveals-his-unique-2-word-basketball-term-in-china/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Tyronn Lue Reveals Big Update About Kawhi Leonard

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers was back in a big way in 2024-25.

His average of 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists was impressive, but his health was even more noteworthy.

He only played in 37 games, but he made them count, and he was able to help his team for their entire run in the playoffs, which hadn’t happened in several years.

According to head coach Ty Lue, Leonard is committed and wants to play in as many back-to-back games as possible, but he is being held back by the medical staff.

They are attempting to “protect him from himself” and prohibit him from pushing too hard.

Ty Lue says Kawhi has been pushing to play back-to-backs, but he, Lawrence Frank, and the Clippers’ medical staff often step in to hold him out to “protect him from himself.”

(via @ClubShayShay) pic.twitter.com/i3mucIyov6

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 28, 2025

Leonard’s history with injuries is long, complicated, and troubling.

Even last season, as he was doing so well, Clippers fans were nervous that something would happen at the worst possible moment and they’d lose Leonard again.

Thankfully, that didn’t happen, but that fear will remain in 2025-26 and beyond.

The good news for Los Angeles is that they have been putting together a good lineup that can carry the weight without him.

James Harden has been a blessing for the team and keeps them competitive when Leonard isn’t able to play.

They will have to be very strategic during the new season.

They want as much as they can get of Leonard, but they also want to avoid a mistake that could lead to a serious injury that takes him out for months.

It’s great that he is adamant about playing as much as possible, but Leonard and the Clippers have to be smart.

The post Tyronn Lue Reveals Big Update About Kawhi Leonard appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/tyronn-lue-reveals-big-update-about-kawhi-leonard/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Key Clippers Player Is Dealing With An Injury

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers don’t want more injuries to get in the way of their plans in 2025-26, but they just suffered what could be a huge blow.

Bogdan Bogdanovic is now set to miss the rest of the EuroBasket 2025 tournament after experiencing an injury during a game against Portugal.

According to Keith Smith, the exact intent of Bogdanovic’s problem isn’t known, but it’s a hamstring injury, which isn’t new for the Serbian star.

He is now headed back to Los Angeles so he can get treatment and attempt to heal before the new season begins.

We haven't heard the exact extent Bogdan Bogdanovic's hamstring injury, but the Serbian federation described it in their release as a "hamstring tear". That's not great. He's headed to LA, where the Clippers will take care of treatment from here.

Bogdanovic missed time last year…

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 31, 2025

The Clippers hope that Bogdanovic is back on his feet in no time, but hamstring injuries are tricky and they don’t always heal fast.

Bogdanovic knows that better than anyone, because he got a late start to last season because of a nagging hamstring injury that he just couldn’t shake.

That was with the Atlanta Hawks, and he was soon traded to Los Angeles.

He averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists during his 30 games with the Clippers.

Bogdanovic is 33 years old, so an injury like this can be quite serious, and it might be a while before he’s at 100 percent again.

That would be a huge loss for the Clippers, who viewed him as an important second-unit star.

The timing of this injury hurts a lot because training camp is right around the corner, and now the Clippers may be without Bogdanovic.

They will urge him to move cautiously and slowly through recovery in order to make sure this doesn’t become a problem again later in the season.

The post Key Clippers Player Is Dealing With An Injury appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/key-clippers-player-is-dealing-with-an-injury/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Details Emerge About Kawhi Leonard’s Demands In Toronto

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The allegations leveled at Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers are serious, and a punishment could be severe.

The team and Leonard deny any wrongdoing, but a report about Leonard’s time with the Toronto Raptors casts some doubt on that.

John Gambadoro claims that prior to his exit from Toronto, Leonard asked the team’s owner for more money via endorsement deals.

“Kawhi Leonard reportedly asked Toronto’s owner Larry Tanenbaum to line up an extra $15M in endorsements when deciding his free agency,” Gambadoro said.

Kawhi Leonard reportedly asked Toronto’s owner Larry Tanenbaum to line up an extra $15M in endorsements when deciding his free agency, per @Gambo987 pic.twitter.com/JDtapeGirb

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 3, 2025

This sounds strikingly similar to what happened with Leonard, the Clippers, and the now-shuttered company Aspiration.

Leonard was being paid a lot by the Clippers, but he made $7 million more on the side through a no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration.

Whether or not that circumvented the league’s salary cap rules is up for debate, and the NBA is now investigating.

But the fact that Leonard reportedly asked for this arrangement in Toronto makes some people question any claims of innocence.

It’s not uncommon for players to demand stipulations from teams, and they can receive a lot, up to a point.

However, the reporting about the Clippers and Aspiration says this was more than simple demands and instead was a strategic attempt to break the rules.

The NBA is surely considering this claim about Leonard and the Raptors.

They are going to dig into financial records, interviews, and a lot more in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

This story continues to grow, and it threatens to throw the Clippers and their goals into complete disarray just weeks before the new season begins.

If the NBA decides that Leonard and the Clippers avoided their rules, they could make 2025-26 incredibly painful for everyone involved.

The post Details Emerge About Kawhi Leonard’s Demands In Toronto appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/details-emerge-about-kawhi-leonards-demands-in-toronto/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Mark Cuban Makes His Thoughts Clear About Clippers Accusations

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers find themselves at the center of a scandal right now, but Mark Cuban isn’t buying it.

The Dallas Mavericks icon spoke about Ballmer and accusations of the Clippers circumventing the NBA’s salary cap in order to give Kawhi Leonard more money.

He feels that Ballmer and the whole Clippers organization were scammed by Aspiration, the company that gave Leonard the money and then went bankrupt.

“I’m on Team Ballmer. As much as I wish they circumvented the salary cap, First Steve isn’t that dumb. If he did try to feed KL money, knowing what was at stake for him personally, and his team, do you think he would let the company go bankrupt ? Knowing all creditors would be visible to the world ? They got scammed by Aspiration, along with many others. Crimes for which they pleaded guilty last week. Scammers do scammy things. They did a $300m sponsorship deal with the clippers in 2021. That’s a HUGE deal. The better the team does , the more value the sponsorship has. It actually makes perfect sense that if they stole money from investors and want the clippers to succeed, why not give stolen money to help keep their best player ?” Cuban posted on X.

I’m on Team Ballmer.

As much as I wish they circumvented the salary cap, First Steve isn’t that dumb. If he did try to feed KL money, knowing what was at stake for him personally, and his team, do you think he would let the company go bankrupt ? Knowing all creditors would… https://t.co/AxvMoLmPv7

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) September 3, 2025

Cuban’s view is certainly plausible, and it’s possible that Aspiration took advantage of the team.

Ballmer and his staff may not have done anything wrong.

But it seems that the majority of people believe that something fishy was happening behind the scenes and that the Clippers did avoid the rules in order to get Leonard money and keep him in Los Angeles.

For now, it’s all speculation and opinion, because a formal investigation has just begun.

The only opinions that really matter are those of Adam Silver and his staff.

If they find that the Clippers acted improperly, they could face serious consequences, and the team’s management could be tainted for years to come.

Ballmer and his team might have Cuban’s support, but that ultimately doesn’t mean anything to the league.

The post Mark Cuban Makes His Thoughts Clear About Clippers Accusations appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/mark-cuban-makes-his-thoughts-clear-about-clippers-accusations/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Steve Ballmer Breaks Silence On Kawhi Leonard, Clippers Allegations

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

NBA fans around the league were stunned by a recent jaw-dropping report that stated the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented salary cap rules with Kawhi Leonard.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer claims that he was just as shocked as everyone else, and denied any fault on Thursday evening.

“Pablo’s podcast, I don’t know anything about the court documents on this. I haven’t seen them and I don’t know. I really don’t know. The speculation is what it is. These are guys who committed fraud. They conned me. I made an investment in these guys,” Ballmer said on ESPN.

Ballmer knows this isn’t the end of the story, but he is ready to defend himself, his staff, and his team.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer denies paying Kawhi Leonard under the table despite the way it looks.

“They committed fraud. They conned me.”

(via @ramonashelburne) pic.twitter.com/vbbCodEVbp

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 5, 2025

Torre’s theory is that this was a way for the Clippers to pay Leonard more money than salary cap rules would allow.

Ballmer states that simply isn’t the case and claims that he was conned by the company, just like others were.

But just because he made this defiant statement doesn’t mean the scandal is going away.

If anything, it’s only heating up, and now the NBA is officially investigating.

If they find that the team did something wrong, they could slap them with severe penalties.

Ballmer and his team might have to pay millions, they could lose draft picks, and contracts could be voided.

Ballmer himself could be suspended if the league determines he was involved.

A lot is riding on this investigation, and Ballmer is trying to get out ahead of it, stating his innocence and claiming the team knew nothing.

However, the league is now looking into these allegations, and the judgment could be harsh.

The post Steve Ballmer Breaks Silence On Kawhi Leonard, Clippers Allegations appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/steve-ballmer-breaks-silence-on-kawhi-leonard-clippers-allegations/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Clippers Release Statement About Kawhi Leonard Report

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers are at the center of what might be the most shocking NBA scandal in years.

On Wednesday, reporting from Pablo Torre stated that Kawhi Leonard was paid $7 million a year from a now-defunct company for an endorsement deal.

That deal, according to Torre, was simply a way for the Clippers to circumvent the league’s current salary cap rules.

The Clippers have now fired back at those claims, releasing an official statement in which they deny all wrongdoing.

“Neither the Clippers nor Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap. The notion that Steve invested in Aspiration in order to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard is absurd,” the statement began, before adding that they welcome an investigation by the NBA.

Clippers statement: pic.twitter.com/2nZR75JCTo

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 4, 2025

Despite the harshly worded statement, this will not be the end of this controversy.

In fact, it is only heating up.

The league is now looking into the serious allegations, and if they find that Ballmer, Leonard, and the Clippers really did conspire to get around their rules, there will be consequences.

It’s not clear how they would be punished, but the Clippers could lose money, draft picks, or even face suspensions.

The entire situation is complicated, and some fans are supporting the Clippers while others are calling them out.

There is no timetable for the league’s investigation, and it seems like it could be ongoing when the new season kicks off next month.

Until then, a dark cloud will hang over this team, and everyone will wonder what will happen next.

This time of year is usually quite slow for NBA fans, but the Clippers-Leonard scandal is giving people plenty to talk about.

The post Clippers Release Statement About Kawhi Leonard Report appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/clippers-release-statement-about-kawhi-leonard-report/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Kawhi Leonard Spotted At Big Event Amid Controversy

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard is currently the talk of the NBA, and there are a lot of questions about the Los Angeles Clippers star.

He’s at the center of a huge controversy, but Leonard is still living his life and enjoying his summer break.

On Friday night, Leonard was spotted in the stands at the US Open.

Sitting in the audience with a baseball cap on his head and earphones in, Leonard seemed focused on the match and not worried about the storm brewing around him.

Kawhi Leonard spotted at the US Open

(via @usopen)pic.twitter.com/YfVI3188FE

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 6, 2025

The NBA is now formally investigating Leonard, Steve Ballmer, and the Clippers.

There are very serious allegations that the team circumvented league salary cap rules by paying him an extra $7 million a year via a no-show endorsement deal with a tree-planting company.

If the league decides that Leonard, the Clippers, and Ballmer broke the rules, they could all face severe punishments.

There could be fines, suspensions, and more headed their way.

Ballmer recently came out and said that the team did nothing wrong, placing all the blame on the now-defunct company that worked with Leonard.

But this is not the end of the story, and the situation is only getting more intense.

Leonard is well aware of what’s going on around him, but he has other things on his mind.

He has to keep himself in good shape and prepare for the long NBA season that is right around the corner.

He doesn’t know what’s going to happen, but he wants to be ready to play on Opening Night.

Leonard has never been someone who shows much emotion, but he looked extra calm and collected while watching the US Open on Friday.

The post Kawhi Leonard Spotted At Big Event Amid Controversy appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/kawhi-leonard-spotted-at-big-even-amid-controversy/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Clippers Could Make Shocking Move With Kawhi Leonard

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The dark cloud hanging over Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers is only growing.

The NBA is now investigating shocking claims that the team circumvented league salary cap rules with a no-show endorsement deal.

If they determine that the Clippers and Leonard really did work to avoid the rules, they could inflict some serious damage to the team.

In fact, Sam Amick has reported that Leonard’s contract with the Clippers could be voided entirely.

“If they can prove that Kawhi was incentivized to not only stay, but to sign team-friendly deals that gave them more flexibility,” Amick said.

Voiding Kawhi Leonards contract with the Clippers is on the table, per @sam_amick

“If they can prove that Kawhi was incentivized to not only stay, but to sign team-friendly deals that gave them more flexibility” pic.twitter.com/UwsN5ks6Ah

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 7, 2025

The league might have a difficult time proving the intent of Leonard and the team, but if they find enough evidence, they could decimate the Clippers with a sweeping and franchise-altering judgment.

Losing Leonard would be a massive, startling blow against the Clippers, and it would show how seriously the league takes this offense.

Adam Silver has worked incredibly hard over the year to instill a lot of integrity in the NBA.

The salary cap rules may be tough, but they were created for a good reason: to prohibit teams from accumulating too much talent at one time.

The investigation has started, and no one is sure how long it’ll take.

There is a chance that a decision will be made before the season starts, or this could go on for months.

Until then, all Clippers fans will be nervous about what’s next.

The allegations are substantial, and a punishment could be severe.

If they did wrong, the Clippers’ future with Leonard could be in jeopardy.

The post Clippers Could Make Shocking Move With Kawhi Leonard appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/clippers-could-make-shocking-move-with-kawhi-leonard/

 

[Los Angeles Clippers]

Charles Barkley Has High Praise For James Harden

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers has always been known as an offensive powerhouse.

In fact, some people think he’s one of the greatest shooters the league has ever seen.

Charles Barkley is a tough critic and isn’t afraid to bash players, but he recently gave some massive praise to Harden.

“I said a few years ago, and people laughed at me, that he is the best offensive player I’ve ever seen,” Barkley said of Harden.

Charles Barkley believes James Harden is the best offensive player in NBA history

"I said a few years ago, and people laughed at me, that he is the best offensive player I've ever seen.” pic.twitter.com/02TWX8N37o

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 8, 2025

Harden has been a bucket since entering the league, and he has remained a great shooter no matter which team he is playing for.

Last season, Harden produced an average of 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists on 41.0 percent from the field.

For the first time in years, Harden received MVP votes again and earned an All-Star appearance.

This was one of his best seasons, and 2024-25 ended up being a year the Clippers were proud of.

They didn’t go as far as they wanted, but the Clippers were looking in much better shape.

Their offseason moves could help them improve even more in the new season, although the new investigation into Kawhi Leonard could complicate things.

As for Harden, he seems happy in Los Angeles and is playing better than he has in many seasons.

Of course, he still has room for improvement.

While Barkley praised Harden’s offensive skills, he would likely agree that Harden could get better with his defense.

He has never been praised as a true two-way player, and Clippers fans would love to see him get better at guarding opponents.

Harden may or may not become a stronger defensive star, but his offense will always be considered terrific.

The post Charles Barkley Has High Praise For James Harden appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/charles-barkley-has-high-praise-for-james-harden/