Did Steve Balmer pay Kawhi Leonard under the table?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by blazerfan11, Sep 3, 2025.

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  1. Cugel

    Cugel The epitome of mediocrity

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    I just don't think Silver will do anything. maybe a "questions remain around integrity but no smoking guns..." No way billionaires are ever going to take a hit. nfw.
     
    Cugel, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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  2. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    My spicy hot take:
    This is way, way, way worse than what Sterling did, and he was forced to sell the team.
     
    Wizard Mentor, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
    #222
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  3. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    This take goes against precedent. There is only one example of this very thing (salary cap evading) in the modern NBA, Joe Smith and the Timberwolves. The league took 5 FRPs from them, fined the team several million dollars and suspended both the owner and the GM for a year. This Kawhi situation is easily worse than the Joe Smith violation.
     
    blazerkor, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
    #223
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  4. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I agree.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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  5. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    IMO, it's very suspicious how Mark Cuban is trying to explain this away and give Ballmer a pass. Makes me think this is more commonplace in the NBA than fans realize. And it sucks, because I like Mark Cuban as an owner/former owner. I felt he was good for the NBA and the fans.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:37 PM
    #225
  6. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

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    Not to mention Stern basically blacked balled Portland for (alleged cap circumvent) with Dudleys deal and Sportsaction. In gaining an All Star Game.
     
    Hoopguru, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
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  7. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I'd rather have another Tournament of the Americas instead of an ASG.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Sep 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
    #227
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  8. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

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    How about moving ASG?
     
    crandc, Sep 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
    #228
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  9. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Weak
     
    BBert, Sep 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM
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  10. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    The Clippers have multiple picks before then. Some of them are after swaps. The NBA could let the other team swap then just remove whatever resulting pick the Clippers have.
     
    SharpesTriumph, Sep 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
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  11. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

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    I'm not buying that. Many of the NBA owners are super jealous of Ballmer and will be happy to see him punished.

    However they won't want something to set a precedent that could come back and hurt themselves. So they will want to do a punishment that can solely be applied to the Clippers but not to all the teams that give their stars private jets to use and vacation house, or plush jobs to their parents/family/friends/etc.

    Can't imagine the Blazers letting a star's cousin have a job with the team he clearly doesn't deserve.
     
    SharpesTriumph, Sep 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM
    #231
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