Guest of the League
Crossover
Fantasy Week 3 | NBA Week 3

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer added to lawsuit over Kawhi Leonard deal

Tue Nov 4 2:16pm ET
Field Level Media

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been added to a lawsuit that contends the defendants committed fraud by using a sustainability company to pay star Kawhi Leonard off the official NBA books.

The initial suit was filed in July, with the tech billionaire Ballmer added on Monday, Front Office Sports reported.

Eleven former investors of the company, then called Aspiration Partners, contend Ballmer used the business to bypass the league salary cap by channeling millions earmarked for Leonard through Aspiration's bank accounts.

As a result, Ballmer and Aspiration founders committed fraud and aided and abetted in a fraud that negatively impacted the investors, the plaintiffs contend.


It was reported in September that Ballmer allegedly worked with company co-founder Joseph Sanberg to arrange a $50 million investment in Aspiration in 2021.

Aspiration went bankrupt and later was renamed Catona Climate Solutions. Front Office Sports reported that Ballmer's investment was a "motivating factor in the plaintiffs either choosing to invest or keeping their investments in Catona," according to the lawsuit.

"Plaintiffs would not have invested and/or kept their investment in Catona if Ballmer and Sanberg had disclosed the true nature of Ballmer's investment," per the revised lawsuit. "Absent Ballmer's support, Catona could not have sustained the frauds set forth herein."

According to a document obtained by ESPN contributor Pablo Torre and reportedly signed by Leonard, the six-time NBA All-Star was to receive $28 million in cash from Aspiration over the course of four years between 2022 and 2025, as long as he was playing for the Clippers.

Aspiration was to pay Leonard the millions for a "no-show" job.

Ballmer told ESPN in September that he was the victim of a fraudulent act and didn't perpetrate one.

"These were guys who committed fraud," Ballmer said in an interview following the accusations. "Look, they conned me. They conned me. I made an investment in these guys thinking it was on the up-and-up, and they conned me at this stage. I have no ability to predict why they might have done anything they did, let alone the specific contract with Kawhi."

The NBA is conducting an investigation into the matter.

The current collective bargaining agreement allows for a fine of up to $4.5 million for a first offense of circumventing the salary cap, the forfeiture of one first-round draft pick, and/or the voiding of any contracts or transactions that violated league rules.

Leonard originally signed with the Clippers in 2019 before agreeing to a three-year contract extension worth around $150 million in early 2024.

The 34-year-old won the NBA Finals MVP award both times he earned NBA championship titles (2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, 2019 with the Toronto Raptors). He also has two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name.

He missed the 2021-22 campaign following knee surgery and has been limited in each of the past three seasons due to ongoing knee issues. He averaged 21.5 points and 5.9 rebounds in just 37 games last season.

In six games this season, he is averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

In his 14th season, the six-time All-Star has averaged 20.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in 739 games with the Spurs, Raptors and Clippers.

Player Notes
Kawhi Leonard Tue Nov 4 3:00pm

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle, injury management) could sit out Tuesday night's matchup against the Thunder since it is the second game of a back-to-back for the Clippers. After Monday's game, coach Ty Lue said he's not sure about the status of Leonard or Bradley Beal for the second game of the back-to-back. After the game, Leonard also said that he turned his ankle late in the game and will see how he's feeling today before deciding if he can give it a go on Tuesday. While the team hasn't officially released an injury report, it would be almost surprising if Kawhi ends up playing, given the situation. Check back before tip-off to confirm Leonard's and Beal's status before locking in your Tuesday night lineups.

Jakob Poeltl Tue Nov 4 3:00pm

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is listed as questionable for Tuesday night's home game against the visiting Bucks. Poeltl has missed the team's last three games but was able to practice on Monday. If he gets back into the rotation, he'd likely push rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles to the bench and reduce his streaming upside. If he returns, Poeltl would be jumping right back into a tough matchup against the rugged front court of the Bucks, but he would give his team a big boost on both ends of the floor by anchoring the middle.

Precious Achiuwa Tue Nov 4 2:50pm

Free agent forward/center Precious Achiuwa has agreed to a one-year deal with the Kings after being released by the Heat just before opening night. Achiuwa played with the Knicks last year and averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50% on field goal attempts in 20.5 minutes per contest. He's known mostly for his defense, and he'll provide some nice veteran depth for Sacramento, which is missing Keegan Murray at power forward. Achiuwa could step into a significant role relatively quickly, so keep an eye on his role to determine his fantasy value. To create roster space, the Kings waived forward Isaac Jones, who could rejoin the team if he doesn't find another landing spot.

Darius Garland Tue Nov 4 2:40pm

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (toe) is getting set to make his season debut after offseason surgery to repair a big toe injury. He could be back as soon as Wednesday night when the Cavaliers take on the 76ers, according to the latest report from ESPN's Shams Charania. Garland's debut will have a huge impact on the Cavs' rotation, likely pushing Jaylon Tyson to the bench and allowing Donovan Mitchell to slide to shooting guard more often. Last year, Garland averaged 20.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per game during the regular season, and it looks like he'll finally be ready to reclaim his spot in Cleveland's rotation relatively soon.

Jimmy Butler Tue Nov 4 2:30pm

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (back) was added to the injury report as questionable for Tuesday night's home game against Phoenix with lower back soreness. Butler has been excellent in his seven games this season with the Warriors, producing 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33.4 minutes per game. He hasn't missed a game this year, but if he misses his first on Tuesday, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II would be candidates to get more time. The Warriors are on the front half of a back-to-back, so they could try to get Butler a down day either Tuesday or Wednesday if his back is acting up. Stay tuned for updates before tip-off of the late game in Golden State.

LaMelo Ball Tue Nov 4 2:10pm

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) was downgraded from questionable to out for Tuesday night's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right ankle impingement. Ball will be out for the second straight game after also missing Sunday's game against the Jazz. In his place, Sion Jones started and had 15 points, five boards and three assists. Without Ball to carry so much usage, the rest of the starters all get a fantasy upgrade. Miles Bridges had 29 points, six assists, and four rebounds, while Kon Knueppel stepped up with 24 points, five assists, and six rebounds. In the backcourt, Collin Sexton turned in a nice double-double with 10 points and 12 assists. Will Ball out in this very favorable environment the rest of the Hornets are great fantasy options.

Al Horford Tue Nov 4 9:50am

Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (toe) has been listed as out for Tuesday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. The Warriors are opting to rest the veteran to avoid overworking him during back-to-back situations. Horford is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday when the Warriors visit the Sacramento Kings. Coming off the bench, Horford has averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 21.0 minutes with the Warriors. Quinten Post figures to have a larger role in the rotation on Tuesday, but his efforts typically don't lead to much fantasy production. The seven-footer from the Netherlands has averaged 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.7 minutes this season.

Chet Holmgren Tue Nov 4 9:40am

Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren (back) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Tuesday's encounter with the Los Angeles Clippers. This is a strong signal that the versatile big man is ready to return from a three-game absence. Holmgren is off to a great start to the year, averaging 23.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals. He will take a starting role from Jaylin Williams (shoulder), who might miss the contest entirely after picking up a questionable tag. In his lone meeting with the Clippers last year, Holmgren struggled to score and was limited to 10 points, but he dominated on the glass with 14 rebounds.

LaMelo Ball Tue Nov 4 9:20am

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans. The talented playmaker is once again bothered by an ankle issue and missed his first game of the season on Sunday against the Utah Jazz. As a result of his absence, rookie Sion James made his second career start, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Additionally, the rest of the start unit had more scoring opportunities with Ball out. In Sunday's game, Miles Bridges and Kon Knueppel combined for 53 points. Meanwhile, Collin Sexton, handling more playmaking duties, logged a double-double with 10 points and 12 assists.

Zion Williamson Tue Nov 4 9:10am

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (hamstring) is questionable for Tuesday's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. After overcoming a foot issue, Williams is back on the injury report with a sore left hamstring. New Orleans begins a back-to-back on Tuesday night, which will likely influence the team's decision on whether to play Williamson. His exit from the lineup would create more playing opportunities for Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen. Of the two players, Bey has more fantasy upside, although he hasn't been very productive during his comeback campaign. In eight appearances, Bey has averaged 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 23.7 minutes.

Joel Embiid Tue Nov 4 9:00am

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) isn't on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's Eastern Conference battle against the Chicago Bulls. Embiid missed his second game of the season when he sat out Sunday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Tuesday's game marks the start of a back-to-back set, so it's likely that Embiid will be back in street clothes on Wednesday night versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the season, Embiid has averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 22.3 minutes. He hasn't played over 25 minutes in any of his four appearances. On Tuesday, Embiid faces an opponent that allows the 10th-most points per 48 minutes to centers this season.

Jared McCain Tue Nov 4 9:00am

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (thumb) appears to be ready for his season debut on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls. Philadelphia has listed him as probable for the contest. McCain has missed the start of his sophomore campaign due to thumb surgery. As a rookie, McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.7 minutes before his year was ended by a knee injury. Following VJ Edgecombe's addition to the Sixers backcourt, McCain faces increased competition for playing time in 2025-26, which could impact his numbers. Given his long layoff, it's possible the team will manage McCain's minutes in his first few outings.

Julius Randle Tue Nov 4 2:30am

Timberwolves' F Julius Randle recorded a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in a 125-109 win over Brooklyn on Monday, Nov. 3.

Jabari Smith Jr. Mon Nov 3 7:30pm

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) won't play versus the Mavericks. He sprained his right ankle during Saturday's win over the Boston Celtics. Fortunately, head coach Ime Udoka stated Smith's absence won't extend beyond this contest, meaning he should be back when the Rockets face the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday night. Without the 22-year-old on the floor, Tari Eason will get the start. Eason has averaged 11.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and an impressive 57.1% shooting from behind the arc this season. However, he could be more productive as a member of the starting lineup on Monday night.

Daniel Gafford Mon Nov 3 7:30pm

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (knee) will remain on a minutes restriction ahead of Monday's game against the Houston Rockets, according to head coach Jason Kidd. Gafford will continue to have a limited role after making his season debut on Saturday. The Mavs don't want to push Gafford too hard, so he'll continue to be eased back into action. The expectation is that Gafford will play around 15-18 minutes during Monday's game. His fantasy value is limited right now, but he figures to be a viable option once he's back to full speed.

Khris Middleton Mon Nov 3 7:20pm

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (elbow) was ruled out for Monday's game against the New York Knicks. Middleton will miss his first game of the season due to a left elbow contusion. So far this season, Middleton is averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 25 minutes per game. That being said, there is a decent amount of playing time up for grabs with the veteran forward hitting the sideline. The assumption is that Bilal Coulibaly and Corey Kispert will see extended roles in the absence of Middleton. Between the two, Coulibaly is the much better streaming choice between the two for Monday's slate.

Walker Kessler Mon Nov 3 7:20pm

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (shoulder) won't play on Monday versus Boston. The 24-year-old didn't travel with the Jazz for their four-game road trip, and he didn't play in Sunday's meeting with the Charlotte Hornets. Kessler will presumably miss a few more contests, although that may change depending on the results of testing. In the meantime, Jusuf Nurkic should remain in the starting lineup. Nurkic had three points, nine boards, and two steals on Sunday against the Hornets. However, he has the potential to be much more productive, giving him streaming value for fantasy managers.

Josh Hart Mon Nov 3 7:20pm

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (ankle) is available to suit up ahead of Monday's game against the Washington Wizards. Hart is ready to play after being listed as questionable earlier in the day due to an ankle issue. It doesn't sound like Hart is going to be limited at all, so fantasy managers should expect him to have his normal role. He put together his best game of the season last time out with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes of playing time. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Hart in their lineups ahead of tip-off.

Johnny Furphy Mon Nov 3 7:10pm

Indiana Pacers guard Johnny Furphy (foot) is available to play ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. As expected, Furphy will suit up after being listed as probable due to a foot issue. He finished with five points, three rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes of action during Saturday's win over the Golden State Warriors. Furphy figures to play a similar role during Monday's contest. He won't be an appealing streaming option for Monday's slate.

RayJ Dennis Mon Nov 3 7:00pm

Indiana Pacers guard RayJ Dennis (back) is available to play ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. As expected, Dennis is ready to go after being listed as questionable due to a lower back sprain. He figures to play a bigger role than normal with Andrew Nembhard (shoulder) on the bench. Through six games, Dennis is averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game. Dennis could offer some low-end streaming value for Monday's slate.


Rotate for more data.