(Photo : Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
The NBA is on the move to launch an investigation on Los Angeles Clippers' executive Jerry West regarding the recruitment of Kawhi Leonard, the New York Times reported.
The Los Angeles Clippers immediately denied the allegations thrown against the organization.
On Monday, Johnny Wilkes sued Jerry West and the Los Angeles Clippers for breach of contract.
According to Wilkes, the Clippers' executive offered him $2.5 million to help the organization lure Kawhi Leonard into free agency for last season's summer signing.
"The lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes is replete with inaccuracies and the allegations are baseless. The Clippers are fully cooperating with the NBA in its investigation, which is standard when these types of allegations are made," the Clippers said in a statement.
The organization added they are firm that the allegations against them are false.
They went on to add that they are providing the NBA with evidence that the allegations are false.
Wilkes elaborated that he was a close friend of Kawhi Leonard's uncle Dennis Robertson, also known as 'Uncle Dennis.' Jerry West requested Wilkes if he could be the bridge for the Clippers to drive Kawhi Leonard into free-agency on summer.
In the filed lawsuit, Johnny Wilkes stated that he notified Robertson of several perks that he could receive given that he could comply with the agreement.
In the deal, Robertson would receive a travel expense perk and a house located in Southern California. Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer would finance a marketing campaign for Kawhi Leonard worth $100 million.
In addition, Wilkes claimed that he released confidential details that are critical to Leonard. The Los Angeles Clippers will use it to convince the All-Star forward to sign during the summer free-agency meeting.
The Clippers were riddled with investigations since 2019 about the forward's off-season move.
As per Sam Amick of The Athletic, Dennis Robertson was involved in handling deals regarding the Clippers' demand, including private plane access and ownership stake to orchestrate Kawhi Leonard's free-agent position.
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It was found out that those allegations were baseless, but the NBA said that reinvestigation would push if the case will show some changes.
The lawsuit was uprooted from the negotiation because Jerry West did not pay Wilkes the $2.5 million deal.
"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," Jerry West spoke to an interview with TMZ.
For the four-time All-Star player Kawhi Leonard, this has nothing to do with his change of plans. He said that he grew up in L.A. for his whole life and he knew a lot of people there. He stayed there because he chose to commit to the team.
The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $50,000 for the anti-tampering violation on May 31, 2019. Former coach Doc Rivers compared Michael Jordan to Kawhi Leonard in a televised cast.
Kawhi Leonard, who was still with the Toronto Raptors, declined the 2019-2020 player option for the Raptors. The Clippers were the most serious team pushing Leonard to sign with them when the free agency hit.
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