According to reports, the NBA is investigating the Los Angeles Clippers amid a TMZ Sports story outlining Johnny Wilkes's $2.5 million lawsuit against Jerry West, alleging he wasn't compensated for helping push Kawhi Leonard toward signing with the Clippers.
TMZ reports, "Wilkes says in the lawsuit he 'immediately went to work' ... and began convincing Kawhi and Kawhi's uncle the Clippers were the right team for him after he had just left the Toronto Raptors." The piece also noted,
"Wilkes says he told West and the Clippers they needed to get Paul George first and foremost to hook Kawhi. He then says he helped connect West with Kawhi's uncle. [...] Wilkes also claims in the suit he gave West a specific gameplan for how the Clippers should pitch Kawhi during an important meeting with West, Leonard, Doc Rivers, and others in July 2019."
As the story gained traction, Jerry West responded to the reports and said, "I am not aware of any lawsuit being filed against me, and I deny engaging in any improper conduct in connection with the signing of Kawhi Leonard."
On Thursday, the Clippers organization said, "The lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes is replete with inaccuracies, and the allegations are baseless," adding, "The Clippers are fully cooperating with the NBA in its investigation, which is standard when these types of allegations are made. They are providing the NBA with evidence that the allegations are false."
According to ESPN, the NBA is focused on investigating "Other Indirect Contact," which falls under Article 35A (3) of the NBA constitution, which "prohibits indirect communications, such as those made through intermediaries." If the Clippers are found to have tampered with Kawhi Leonard before signing him, they could be fined $10 million and lose draft picks.
Source: bleacherreport.com
