Just when you thought Adam Silver and the NBA couldn't be any more inept, a new report suggests otherwise. According to ESPN, the NBA's investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the L.A. Clippers may drag out until 2027. That would be embarrassing for the Clippers, Leonard, and the NBA itself.
Remember, the NBA's investigation has been going on for almost a year, and they seem no closer to a conclusion than when they began. Even if they don't have a smoking gun regarding salary cap circumvention, they should at least have enough circumstantial evidence to punish Leonard and the Clippers.
By doing so, it would allow a potential trade with the Toronto Raptors to continue. More importantly, it would help all sides to move on. Instead, the NBA seems to be stalling and hoping that everyone forgets.
The NBA is embarrassing themselves with latest Clippers debacle
The longer this drags out, the worse it looks for both the NBA and Adam Silver. Part of the potential delay could involve appeals by the Clippers and the NBA Players' Association.
That is understandable, though it shouldn't have taken this long to even come to a conclusion to the investigation. Many NBA fans are closely watching the outcome of their investigation.
If they don't come down hard on the Clippers and Leonard, it will make them look soft. Coming down hard could involve the league suspending Leonard for his part in the alleged salary cap circumvention.
It could also include his contract being voided entirely and the Clippers being stripped of several first-round picks.
The Raptors have been caught in the crosshairs of the Kawhi Leonard situation
Worse yet, the Raptors have been caught in the crosshairs. They did nothing wrong other than wanting to trade for Leonard. Now, it appears that they will have to begin training camp with both Gradey Dick and Brandon Ingram.
That could negatively affect them if this situation drags into next season with both players having been a part of the trade only for the deal to fall apart. Toronto is in a holding pattern until the Leonard situation plays out.
If he is suspended for, say, 20 games next season and the Clippers are punished for salary cap circumvention, the trade could go through as planned. Albeit with the Raptors possibly withholding a pick. Until then, the NBA looks foolish for letting the situation play out for more than a year with no end in sight.
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