The NBA preseason is on and most of the attention has been on James Harden will end up. But it appears that new development has come into play and it involves Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clips were hit with a $2.5 million from Johnny Wilkes, said to be someone holding close ties with Leonard’s uncle (Dennis Robertson). He alleges that Jerry West had promised him $2.5 million if he could help the Clippers get some leverage in signing Kawhi Leonard, TMZ reported.

When this broke out, the NBA has launched an investigation on the matter. If the Clips are found to have violated league policies, they could be subject to league discipline.

In the lawsuit, Wilkes claims that he played a key role in helping Los Angeles land the two-time NBA champion. That included facilitating a deal between West and Robertson. Part of that deal was West agreeing to give Robertson a South California home and a travel expense account.

 

It will be recalled that the Clippers were already investigated last season when reports came out that the team had purchased a home for Leonard’s uncle.

West has come forward to respond to the allegations. He denies the accusations and said that he does not deal with people with improper connections.

“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.”

Aside from that, Leonard also responded to the matter. He was asked by LA Clippers beat writer Tomer Azarly about his ties with Wilkes and if he had any influence in his decision to join the Clips.

“Not at all,” Kawhi Leonard said. “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.”

Hence, it all now becomes a waiting game for all parties concerned. Leonard believes that it is a foul way for people to try and get some money and that it won’t be the last. For now, it all depends on how the NBA investigation pans out.