The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers runs strong, and even five months after Kawhi Leonard made a league-changing decision to sign with the latter after winning a title with the Toronto Raptors, there is still resentment from a free agency process the league thoroughly investigated in the summer, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Leonard's uncle, Dennis Robertson, reportedly asked for improper benefits at the time of ironing out a potential signing, including part ownership, private plane to be available at all times, a house, and a guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money that they could expect if Leonard played for their team.
There is belief Robertson made similar requests of the Lakers and Raptors, and rival teams assume he did the same with the Clippers. However, there's no evidence the Clippers granted any of the requests and they have remained mum on the situation.
The Lakers are still miffed about how all this played out. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss reportedly made it crystal clear Uncle Dennis' requests wouldn't be met over several phone discussions during free agency, noting they were “illegal.”
This is hardly the first potential scandal surrounding Robertson, who has been Leonard's accompanying shadow during negotiations since the All-Star parted ways with his previous agent. Robertson didn't respond to Amick's request for comment.
The league closed the investigation after not finding any evidence but could re-open it at any time if it feels relevant accusations have ground for proof.
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