Kawhi not appealing? League insiders speculate Clippers are deliberately stalling, Raptors eager to complete trade

On September 11th Beijing time, after the NBA completed its independent investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers' violations and imposed penalties, Kawhi Leonard was spared a suspension. The Raptors are now ready to push forward with the deal to acquire the two-time Finals MVP. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Raptors are eager to finalize the trade with the Clippers for Leonard and firmly believe it will go through as previously discussed. Although the Raptors are very proactive,Stein also mentioned that people within the league have publicly speculated whether the Clippers are deliberately delaying the trade as revenge against Leonard.

Stein said: "But this delay naturally leads some league observers to wonder whether the Clippers are shelving the trade -- or even considering more extreme measures -- to vent their anger at Leonard. The reason is that Leonard directly accepted the league's punishment and did not exercise his right to appeal. You see, according to the league's bylaws, any formal appeal within the NBA framework must be initiated by the player involved; the team has no right to appeal on his behalf."

However, multiple informed sources told The Stein Line this week that the Clippers insist the real reason for the trade delay is that team owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year and basketball operations president Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, leaving the management structure temporarily unable to function normally and creating uncertainty.

The penalties imposed on the Clippers include: forfeiture of first-round draft picks for each year from 2029 to 2033; a one-year suspension for team owner Steve Ballmer and chief business officer Gillian Zucker; and a six-month suspension for basketball operations president Lawrence Frank.

Leonard was fined $700,000 but will not be suspended.

According to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, the trade between the Raptors and Clippers is expected to be completed as originally structured, with no changes to the framework.

Stein and Fischer reported on Tuesday that the potential sticking point for the trade is that with Ballmer, Zucker, and Frank all suspended, the Clippers are still putting together a new interim management structure.

Windhorst said that general manager Trent Redden is likely to temporarily take over basketball operations in Los Angeles.

The details of the trade initially agreed upon on June 30: Leonard is sent to Toronto; the Clippers receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a first-round pick swap in 2027.

On July 9, the Raptors issued a statement saying they intended to wait until the NBA investigation concluded before executing the trade, because if the investigation results affected Leonard's eligibility to play, the Raptors would bear the corresponding risk.

The next key date for the Raptors is September 29, when the team plans to open training camp.