Kawhi Leonard was criticized by Stephen A. Smith in the eye of the storm, could his future collapse from here?

The basketball world is on fire following allegations that Kawhi Leonard was paid $28 million by the Los Angeles Clippers for a so-called “no-show job” — and Stephen A. Smith is not holding back. The outspoken ESPN analyst recently launched a scathing critique of the Clippers star on First Take, accusing Leonard of being disengaged, unavailable, and, in Smith’s words, “spending years doing absolutely nothing.”

The controversy stems from a report by Pablo Torre, who claimed that Leonard was allegedly compensated through a side deal with a now-bankrupt company called Aspiration, which was financially backed by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. The implication is that the deal was structured in a way to circumvent the NBA salary cap, raising questions about the legality and ethics of the arrangement.

Stephen A. Smith: “This Brother Will Check the Absentee Ballot Every Time”

Known for his fiery takes and no-nonsense attitude, Stephen A. Smith didn’t mince words when discussing Kawhi Leonard’s role in the scandal. On his show, Smith questioned Leonard’s commitment not only to his team but also to the game and the fans.

“This is a man who did New Balance commercials, and the kids spoke, the kids, and he didn’t say a word,” Smith ranted. “I’ve seen them go up to him and need him to sign autographs and fraternize with the public when he was sitting on his behind on the bench collecting about $40-plus million, and he wouldn’t do it.”

Smith’s comments highlighted not only Leonard’s frequent absences due to injury or load management but also his alleged unwillingness to engage with fans or participate in promotional responsibilities typically expected of NBA superstars.

“He has spent years… Years! Doing absolutely nothing,” Smith continued. “This man is a walking absentee on the ballot. This brother will check the absentee ballot as much as he possibly can throughout his career.”

Kawhi Leonard’s Career Earnings vs. Availability

The criticism from Smith didn’t come out of nowhere. Over his NBA career, Kawhi Leonard has developed a reputation for missing significant time due to injuries or rest protocols. Despite being widely respected for his talent and two-way dominance, Leonard’s availability has often been a concern.

As Smith pointed out, Leonard has missed 290 games during his NBA career, yet has earned an estimated $325 million in salary alone. In the 2023–24 NBA season, Leonard signed a three-year, $152.4 million extension with the Clippers. While he played in 68 regular season games that year, he only appeared in 37 games during the most recent season.

For fans and critics alike, it’s not just about the injuries — it’s about the perception of disengagement. Leonard’s quiet demeanor, lack of public appearances, and minimal interaction with fans have all contributed to the growing sentiment that he does the bare minimum required by his contract.

What Is the ‘No-Show’ Job Scandal?

The controversy exploded after journalist Pablo Torre revealed details of a contract between Aspiration, a tree-planting and financial services startup backed by Steve Ballmer, and KL2 Aspire LLC, a company owned by Kawhi Leonard.

Torre reported that Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration that required little to no actual work. In fact, according to legal documents reviewed by Torre, a clause in the agreement stated that Leonard could “decline to proceed with any action desired by the Company.” Another clause made payments conditional upon Leonard remaining with the Clippers, raising concerns that the deal was used to incentivize him to stay without those funds counting against the salary cap.

Further complicating matters, Aspiration has since gone bankrupt, and bankruptcy filings list KL2 Aspire LLC as one of its creditors — still owed $7 million at the time of the filing. The company’s co-founder, Joe Sanberg, has also been arrested on wire fraud charges, adding more weight to the scandal.

Clippers Deny All Wrongdoing

The Los Angeles Clippers responded swiftly to the allegations with a strongly worded statement:

“Neither the Clippers nor Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap,” the team said. “The notion that Steve invested in Aspiration in order to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard is absurd. Steve invested because Aspiration’s co-founders presented themselves as committed to doing right by their customers while protecting the environment.”

The team emphasized that there is nothing unusual about players on an NBA team having endorsement deals with sponsors. According to the Clippers, neither the organization nor Ballmer had any involvement or oversight regarding Leonard’s independent contract with Aspiration.

Despite these denials, The Athletic and other outlets have confirmed that the NBA has launched an investigation into the matter. Depending on the outcome, the Clippers could face serious penalties if found guilty of violating salary cap rules.

Stephen A. Smith’s Take: “He’s Been Doing This for Years”

Stephen A. Smith’s frustration extends beyond the alleged scandal — it’s about what he views as a pattern of behavior from Kawhi Leonard.

“So when I saw this report and it says money for doing nothing… I said hmm,” Smith said. “That’s what made me pause. Not because of Steve Ballmer. Not because of the Clippers. Because of him! Because if there’s a way for this brother to get money, guaranteed, without working!? That’s what this brother has done.”

Smith’s broader point is that the report aligns with Leonard’s reputation: a brilliant but distant superstar who often plays by his own rules, appears in a limited number of games, and does little off the court to promote the team or the league.

NBA’s Investigation Could Bring Serious Consequences

The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement prohibits teams from offering financial incentives outside of official contracts in order to retain or acquire players. If the league determines that the Clippers used a third-party entity to funnel additional payments to Kawhi Leonard, it would constitute a major violation.

Possible consequences include:

• Fines up to $4.5 million

• Loss of first-round draft picks

• Potential voiding of Kawhi Leonard’s contract

The league has not yet announced a timeline for the investigation, but insiders say this situation is being taken very seriously by the NBA front office.

Final Thoughts: A Clash of Legacy and Accountability

While Kawhi Leonard’s talent is undeniable, the recent scandal and the backlash from public figures like Stephen A. Smith highlight a deeper concern about how superstar athletes manage their careers and public image. Whether Leonard is guilty of any wrongdoing remains to be seen, but the optics of this situation are not in his favor.

Smith’s criticism may sound harsh, but it reflects a broader frustration among NBA fans and analysts who expect more — more transparency, more effort, more leadership — from players who are not only highly paid but also highly influential.

As the NBA moves forward with its investigation, all eyes will remain on Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the outcomes that could shape future rules and player-team relationships in the league.