The NBA has opened an investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers' pursuit of Kawhi Leonard in the summer of 2019, after a man who says he is a friend of Leonard filed a lawsuit against Jerry West.
TMZ first reported the story, and Marc Stein of The New York Times reported the league's probe.
TMZ ran this statement from West: "… I deny engaging in any improper conduct in connection with the signing of Kawhi Leonard."
This is the original @TMZ_Sports story: https://t.co/rpHNqAqPuj
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 17, 2020
In the lawsuit, Johnny Wilkes claims that he informed West — a members of the Clippers executive board — that he had close ties to Leonard and Leonard's uncle, Dennis Robertson, who holds a major influence over Leonard's decision-making.
Wilkes says that West invited him to a meeting at Staples Center on April 10, 2019, at which Wilkes asked for a payment of $2.5 million in exchange for helping persuade Leonard to leave the Toronto Raptors — fresh off a title — for the Clippers.
West agreed, and Wilkes “immediately went to work,” per the complainant.
Now, Wilkes is alleging that West owes him the money after that Clippers deal went through.
“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,” a representative for West said.
According to the TMZ report, Wilkes also claims in the lawsuit that he provided then-Clippers head coach Doc Rivers material he and others could pitch to Kawhi.
“This information was vital,” Wilkes says, “because it was the exact information Kawhi Leonard wanted to hear at the time in order to effectuate his signing with the Clippers.”
Wilkes says he told West to pursue a trade for Paul George in order to sway Leonard, too. The lawsuit notes that after Leonard signed with the Clippers, West once again agreed to pay Wilkes the $2.5 million, but never did.
We'll keep you posted on any new developments with the Clippers and Jerry West.
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