Did Aspiration scandal hold Kawhi Leonard off All-Star group?

Kawhi Leonard averages 27.9 factors and two steals per recreation, seventh and second within the NBA, respectively. But, he wasn’t named an All-Star reserve for a recreation performed at his residence area.

Coaches selected seven reserves for the Western Convention group however handed on Leonard, maybe due to the scandal about his alleged “no-show” endorsement take care of a Los Angeles Clippers sponsor. The coaches and the league might not have needed the NBA’s annual showcase to deal with a problem nonetheless being investigated.

Kawhi Leonard has the statistics of an All-Star

Leonard is averaging 27.9 factors, 6.2 rebounds and three.6 assists, whereas taking pictures 49.5 % from the sphere and 39.1 % on three-pointers in 35 video games. Against this, LeBron James averages 21.9 factors, 5.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists, whereas taking pictures 50.5 % general and 32.9 % on threes in 4 fewer video games.

Granted, Leonard shouldn’t be the NBA’s all-time scoring chief. Nor are James and his group embroiled in an issue over salary-cap circumvention. Leonard allegedly obtained over $28M from Aspiration, the Clippers’ jersey patch sponsor, however wasn’t required to advertise the corporate, point out the corporate or do something he “objected to.” Aspiration filed for chapter in March 2025.

With the Clippers internet hosting the All-Star Sport on Feb. 15 at their new area, the Intuit Dome, Leonard’s deal would nearly actually be an enormous subject of dialog, particularly if he had been the one Clipper within the recreation (James Harden did not make the group, both). Maybe the NBA gently nudged coaches, who vote on the All-Star reserves, to contemplate gamers like James and Devin Booker. Or maybe they do not wish to reward the Clippers for doubtlessly circumventing the wage cap.

NBA’s Clippers investigation unlikely to conclude quickly

Again in October, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned the league’s investigation of the Clippers’ alleged wrongdoing would “take a while.” That is each because of the complexity of the problems and the federal investigation of Aspiration founder Joseph Sanberg, who pleaded responsible in August 2025 to defrauding traders of $248M.

However it’s additionally far simpler for the NBA to dole out self-discipline after the season is over. Leonard’s contract runs via 2026-27. If the NBA finds the contract was unlawful, then voiding Leonard’s deal in the summertime creates far much less chaos than a celebrity all of the sudden changing into a free agent at midseason. Ought to the Clippers be penalized draft selections or given a salary-cap-related punishment, that is additionally far less complicated throughout the offseason.

Silver and the NBA will already need to face questions in regards to the Clippers and group proprietor Steve Ballmer throughout All-Star Weekend. It’s miles simpler if they will deflect questions by saying, “That is a part of an ongoing investigation,” particularly given the present federal case.

Leonard may nonetheless make the sport as an harm substitute, however given the star’s reluctance to talk with the media — which lengthy predated this scandal — he may favor to remain residence. In any case, regardless that he is taking part in at an unimaginable degree this season, the NBA is in the end honoring the lasting legacy of Leonard’s Clippers profession: sitting out video games.