Prominent NBA reporter Shams Sharania recently reported that if Kawhi Leonard's contract with the Clippers is officially voided, Leonard will likely join the Lakers as a free agent. With growing evidence against the Clippers, the likelihood of Leonard's contract being voided is very high.

The official investigation team cited over 3,000 documents as evidence and seven witnesses, alleging that Leonard's contract was essentially designed to help the Clippers circumvent the salary cap. Although the evidence proving the Clippers "actively" engaged in a trade of favors is currently circumstantial, it is considered a violation of league rules. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement clearly stipulates two levels of regulations regarding such behavior by the Clippers and Leonard: teams are strictly prohibited from having sponsors pay players on their behalf, and any form of private agreements between teams and players are also prohibited.

It is important to note that the rules do not require such agreements to be in writing; verbal or implied agreements also constitute violations and can be "proven by direct or indirect evidence." If a business partner is found guilty of making payments to players on behalf of a team, penalties could include fines of $4.5 million to $6 million, forfeiture of a first-round draft pick, and the voiding of the player's contract. Leonard's current contract, not the one directly in question, could create a gray area when determining the severity of the violation.

If Leonard's contract violations are more serious, the league could also impose fines of up to $7.5 million, forfeiture of multiple first-round draft picks, a $350,000 fine on the player, and a one-year suspension for any team personnel who "willfully participated in the violation." Player contracts, including Leonard's current contract through an extension, would also be voided, and "anything of value received through the agreement" could be forfeited.

The latter scenario would result in a "sledgehammer" level of penalty, while the former, while severe, would be less severe if Leonard's current contract remains.

In the worst-case scenario, Leonard's entire $100.3 million contract for the next two seasons could be voided, making him an unrestricted free agent and facing a $350,000 fine. But at this point in the offseason, few teams still have the cap space to sign a maximum-salary player, and the Lakers may be one of the few teams capable of offering Leonard a max contract.

If Leonard's contract is ultimately voided, no team would be more suitable for his next move than the Lakers, and the likelihood of this happening is growing. "League executives have made it very clear that salary cap circumvention is the NBA's number one sin... Therefore, if the league takes this seriously, voiding player contracts is a very real possibility," said Shalania. "The team that would benefit the most would be the Lakers."

If the NBA can prove that Leonard was intentionally manipulated to stay on a low-priced contract, thereby helping the Clippers gain illegal salary flexibility, it would shake the very foundation of the league. Commissioner Adam Silver, who has always been committed to the health of the league, could use this as an opportunity to assert his authority and strike back with the same decisive blow David Stern dealt the Timberwolves.

If Leonard's contract is voided and he still intends to play through the 2025-26 season, the Lakers will have a golden opportunity. This also presents general manager Rob Pelinka with the possibility of acquiring a near-superstar at a fraction of the cost. Currently, no team in the league has the cap space to offer Leonard a contract that matches his market value—a significant advantage for the Lakers.

Of course, before considering signing Leonard, the Lakers must carefully evaluate whether the potential turmoil Leonard and his team pose is worth the risk. Reports of Leonard's alleged misconduct have clearly severely impacted his public image, and he also has an uncertain history of serious injuries. However, the Lakers have a history of taking risks, as evidenced by their recent signing of Deandre Ayton and their previous pursuit of Bradley Beal despite concerns about his attitude, injuries, and defense.

Ultimately, Leonard's individual talent remains top-tier, and acquiring a two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP at a discount isn't an opportunity that comes along every offseason. The Lakers will seize this opportunity without hesitation, pairing Leonard with Luka Dončić and LeBron James.

After gradually regaining his form towards the end of last season, Leonard once again delivered elite performances. In the first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Leonard averaged 25.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 53.7% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range. Of course, to land Leonard, the Lakers might first need to revamp their existing roster through a "consolidation trade." But acquiring a player of Leonard's caliber makes all the difference.

"If Leonard ultimately has to leave the Clippers, the Lakers are the only option in this city," said Shalania. "It's hard to say; the league might have assisted the Lakers once again."

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