​The ongoing saga around the NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and star Kawhi Leonard is dragging on, but commissioner Adam Silver said this week that he’s “hopeful” we’ll get answers “this summer.”The probe into alleged salary cap circumvention by the Clippers led to a pause in the blockbuster deal that intended to send Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple draft picks.Mar 21, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during the game between the Mavericks and the Clippers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesWith such a big transaction on the line, Silver made clear timing is an important factor, as reported by Ben Golliver of ESPN.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“This [investigation] needs to be wrapped up before the beginning of next season,” Silver told reporters. “It’s going on longer than I would have hoped, there’s no question about that.”Golliver quoted Silver as attributing the long timeline to “dealing with bankruptcy courts and reluctant witnesses,” which tracks, given that the alleged endorsement deal used to pay Leonard was through now-disgraced sustainability company Aspiration.Aspiration co-founder Joe Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in prison for fraud, and the company filed for bankruptcy after his arrest last year.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile those are certainly complicating factors, the delay has created complications for the Clippers and Raptors as well.Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Intuit Dome on Jan 22, 2026.The deal is dependent upon the Raptors assuming “the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation,” the Clippers have said.The Raptors said in a statement that they “remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.”Silver made clear that the NBA was not part of that decision.“The league did not pause the trade,” Silver said. “The parties to the trade made a decision not to go forward given that the investigation remained open. Any possible impact on Kawhi or his contract was yet to be known. They chose not to live with that uncertainty. That was well known before the trade was proposed.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I don’t think there’s any reason for people to believe that the status of Kawhi Leonard would change merely because he was traded.”The post Adam Silver Says Kawhi Probe Must End Before Season Starts appeared first on LA Sports Report.