legal expert weighs in on Raptors trade hold
A proposed trade between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard has been paused due to an ongoing NBA investigation into Leonard's contract. The Raptors have agreed to assume potential penalties, though legal experts express surprise at the complexity of the deal's vetting process.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the financial and legal risks teams face when acquiring players involved in external endorsement controversies.
A Toronto-based legal expert says he was surprised by the latest twist in the Toronto Raptors-Los Angeles Clippers trade saga.
The Raptors and Clippers announced in separate statements on Thursday that a proposed trade that would bring all-star forward Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto has been put on hold following the outcome of an investigation by the NBA into Leonard’s 2024 contract with L.A. Both statements said that the Raptors would assume the risk of any potential penalties that come out of the investigation.
Russell Sanders, a partner at Aird and Berlis, said he was taken aback by the deal being paused.
“I was frankly shocked. I would have thought that was an issue that would have been vetted internally on both sides before the transaction was announced,” said Sanders, who is a member of the firm’s sports and entertainment groups.
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