There is an expectation of significant punishment from the NBA against leadership and individuals concerned with Kawhi Leonard's contract controversy. However, one person confident of walking away free is Leonard himself.

The Toronto Raptors paused Leonard's blockbuster trade in July shortly after the announcement. A month later, the two-time champion remains confident about a reunion with his former championship team before training camp.

"Kawhi Leonard strongly believes trade to Raptors will go through, enabling him to join team in time for training camp," Fischer wrote in The Stein Line on Monday, Aug. 10.

The Raptors pulled the blockbuster trade with the Clippers on June 30. However, the NBA later informed them that they would be liable for the penalties resulting from a punishment involving salary circumvention by the Clippers.

The trade has been on pause since July 9. However, there is growing optimism that it will go through in the near future.

"There is a belief in some corners of the league that the investigation is closer to completion than advertised and that — at some point over the next six weeks — there will be a resolution involving some level of sanctions from the NBA against the Clippers but, ultimately, clearance for LA and Toronto to complete the Leonard trade," Fischer added.

Within hours after Fischer's report, the odds of Kawhi successfully joining Toronto went from 67% to 78%.

Leonard's punishment, if found guilty, can range from his contract getting voided, suspension, or perhaps a big fine. One of the NBA commentators is already demanding a long-term ban for the two-time NBA champion.

Stephen A. Smith proposes Kawhi Leonard's banishment from the NBA

Allegations against Kawhi and the Clippers can prove to be consequential in the NBA. The breach of trust in the legitimacy of transactions between the franchise and the players will put every max deal under the scanner.

Considering the consequences of the allegations, and if proven guilty, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith wants Kawhi to be banned from the league.

"The Clippers are in a world of trouble… It should be entertained that Kawhi Leonard should be banned for a year," Smith said on First Take on Aug. 7.

Banning Kawhi is an option for the league. However, considering that he is one of the biggest stars in the NBA and brought the first championship to Toronto, it will be a difficult decision for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

The Clippers were already under investigation since last year after Pablo Torre's shocker. The allegations of circumventing the salary cap through Leonard's "no-show" deal with Aspiration shocked the league.

In June, Torre revealed another shocker. He alleged that Leonard had a deal with Daktronics to circumvent the salary cap. It's the same company credited with manufacturing Intuit Dome's famous Halo board.

What are your thoughts on this?

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi