Former renowned ESPN journalist Pablo Torre exclusively reported on his podcast on Thursday that the Los Angeles Clippers are suspected of offering forward Kawhi Leonard a "dual contract" in an attempt to circumvent the NBA salary cap.

According to Pablo Torre's report, he received reports from seven anonymous former employees of the investment firm Aspiration.

These employees allege that an endorsement contract Leonard signed with the company in 2022 is a fraud.

The four-year, $28 million contract does not exist.

The contract also specifically stipulates that Leonard must remain with the Clippers to receive the full $28 million in endorsements, and he cannot switch teams or retire mid-season.

All of this is a deliberate attempt by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to offer Leonard a "dual contract" in order to circumvent the salary cap and pay his players higher salaries.

Aspiration is a San Francisco-based startup partially funded by Ballmer with $50 million in capital.

The Clippers and the company announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021, just one month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million contract extension.

Two years later, the Clippers terminated their partnership, citing "breach of contract."

Aspiration filed for bankruptcy this year, listing the Clippers and a company called KL2 Aspire LLC, valued at approximately $7 million, as creditors. California Court documents indicate that Leonard is the company's manager, with KL representing his initials and the number 2 his jersey number.

In response to the allegations, NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed that the league was aware of the allegations and had launched an investigation into Leonard, the Clippers, Ballmer, and others associated with them.

This is the second time in Leonard's six years with the Los Angeles Clippers that he has been accused of obtaining illicit income through "dual contracts" under the guise of commercial gain.