On Thursday afternoon, the NBA opened an investigation into Jerry West, the LA Clippers, and the manner in which they acquired free agent superstar Kawhi Leonard during their epic summer of 2019 that also landed them Paul George. This comes after TMZ reported a lawsuit from one Johnny Wilkes, who was a high school teammate of Leonard's uncle Dennis at Dorsey High School, reportedly good friend of Leonard's family, for $2.5 million.
Wilkes claims he helped the Clippers land Leonard in free agency by telling him what he wanted to hear, and was never paid for his ‘services.' The lawsuit against Clippers' consultant and NBA legend Jerry West drew a quick response after news of the league's investigation became public.
“The lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes is replete with inaccuracies and the allegations are baseless,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
The Clippers played their preseason finale on Thursday night, a game in which Kawhi Leonard finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 22 minutes. After the game, Leonard was made available to members of the media, where he was asked about his relationship with Wilkes and his influence on joining the Clippers.
“Not at all,” Kawhi Leonard said without hesitation. “That has nothing to do with me coming here. Nobody swayed my mind. I’m from LA. I grew up here my whole life. Out here, people try to find any way to get some money. It probably won’t be the last. I know a lot of people out here.”
“Not at all. That has nothing to do with me coming here… I’m from LA. I grew up here my whole life. Out here, people try to find any way to get some money. It probably won’t be the last. I know a lot of people out here.”
Kawhi Leonard shuts down the Johnny Wilkes rumors. pic.twitter.com/mg0sxlRXfa
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 18, 2020
The league will conduct its investigation into the Clippers and Leonard before deciding the outcome. Leonard and the Clippers were also investigated last season when it was reported that the team purchased a home for Leonard's uncle, among other things.
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