RealGM Basketball Wiretap

04 June 2026

• Adam Silver Vows To Follow Facts, Says Investigation Into Clippers Needs To Wrap

  NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday that the league's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and potential salary cap violations is approaching a resolution, though he stopped short of setting a specific timeline for its completion.

  Silver spoke before Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio. The probe is being conducted by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, which began its work in September.

  "I don't have a specific timeline on when they will be completed," Silver said. "I think it's clear they are far along. I think those reports are -- reading all the time from people who are being interviewed by them, and I think they understand that you could keep going on and on, but I think we are close to the point now where I think we need to wrap this up, because you also need finality. The team has to understand what situation they are going to be operating under, and so do the other 29 teams. So that's where things currently stand."

  The inquiry centers on whether the Clippers funneled money to star Kawhi Leonard through his $28 million endorsement agreement with Aspiration, a green banking company that also held a $300 million, 23-year sponsorship deal with the franchise. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who invested $60 million in Aspiration, has denied prior knowledge of Leonard's arrangement.

  Aspiration has since declared bankruptcy. Co-founder Joe Sanberg was sentenced Monday to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of wire fraud.

  Silver addressed whether Sanberg's sentencing would influence his decision on potential discipline.

  "My job is to follow the facts," Silver said. "Findings will be made by this independent firm. That's presented to me. It's then ultimately my role to determine what the appropriate discipline, if any, should be meted out based on their findings."

  Silver emphasized that the independent firm's conclusions and his disciplinary determination represent two distinct processes.

• Darius Garland On Joining Clippers: I Got My Joy Back

  LA Clippers point guard Darius Garland was a recent guest on the Ball In The Family podcast, which was hosted by Lonzo Ball and LiAngelo Ball. Garland touched on a lot of topics, with a specific focus on how happy he is to be a part of the Clippers.

  "It's been great, bro," Garland said about joining LA after a mid-season trade. "Coming to a system where I can actually be me. Have the ball in my hand for the majority of the game and actually have control of the pace of the game. Just being like a second coach out there, literally. It was fun when I was out there playing, for sure. I got my joy back."

  Garland and Donovan Mitchell never quite formed the backcourt the Cleveland Cavaliers hoped for when they traded for Mitchell. Garland's injuries also played a part in the team falling short of expectations. Ahead of the trade deadline in last February, the Cavs swapped Garland for James Harden. Cleveland was ultimately swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

• Aspiration Co-Founder Sentenced To 14 Years, Cooperation Aided NBA's Clippers Investigation

  Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, whose bankrupt green banking company sits at the center of an NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison Monday after cooperating with league investigators, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled.

  NBA investigator David Anders, in what represented the league's first public statement on its Clippers inquiry, confirmed in an April 17 letter to the court that Sanberg had provided meaningful assistance to the probe.

  "In all our dealings with Mr. Sanberg, both directly and through his counsel, he provided information that was consistent with our review of contemporaneous documents and other evidence," Anders wrote. "Mr. Sanberg's cooperation substantially assisted our investigation, including our ability to develop a more complete understanding of key events."

  Anders confirmed Sanberg sat for two in-person interviews and supplied documents and, through his attorneys, information relevant to the league's review.

  Sanberg had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud after prosecutors said he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million by obtaining fraudulent loans, falsifying financial statements, and concealing his role as a revenue source for the company. Federal prosecutors sought a sentence of nearly 18 years.

  Judge Stephen V. Wilson, on the federal bench since 1985, said the circumstances ranked among the worst fraud cases he had encountered in his career.

  "This case has touched almost every badge of fraud," Wilson said, adding that Sanberg had become "greedy, brazen, callous" and "entangled in a web of lies" over several years.

  Aspiration announced a 23-year, $300 million endorsement agreement with the Clippers in September 2021 and a separate $28 million deal with star Kawhi Leonard in April 2022. Reports citing internal documents alleged Leonard's arrangement was structured to circumvent the NBA's salary cap, prompting the league's investigation.

  Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who lost his entire $60 million personal investment in Aspiration, advocated through his attorney for a sentence that would deter similar fraud. A restitution hearing is set for July 20, with Sanberg's voluntary surrender date set for August 17.

• Clippers No. 5 Pick In Upcoming Draft Drawing 'Curiosity'

  The Los Angeles Clippers' No. 5 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft is drawing "considerable curiosity" around the league, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  The Clippers received the pick from the Pacers following the Ivica Zubac trade at the deadline.

  It was reported last month that Darius Garland and Ty Lue are the only certainties on the team to return next season.

  With the consensus top-four of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson presumed to be off the board, the Clippers' decision-making could come down to whether to rebuild around Garland or trade the pick for a veteran to put alongside Kawhi Leonard.

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham Lead 25-26 All-NBA Team

  The NBA announced their 2025-26 All-NBA Teams on Sunday.

  All-NBA First Team

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
  • Victor Wembanyama - San Antonio Spurs
  • Luka Doncic - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Cade Cunningham - Detroit Pistons

  All-NBA Second Team

  • Jaylen Brown - Boston Celtics
  • Jalen Brunson - New York Knicks
  • Kevin Durant - Houston Rockets
  • Kawhi Leonard - LA Clippers
  • Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers

  All-NBA Third Team

  • Jalen Duren - Detroit Pistons
  • Chet Holmgren - Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks
  • Tyrese Maxey - Philadelphia 76ers
  • Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets
• Tiago Splitter, Jeff Van Gundy, Micah Nori Finalists For Blazers' Head Coaching Job

  Tiago Splitter, Jeff Van Gundy and Micah Nori are the three known finalists for the Portland Trail Blazers head coaching vacancy. The Blazers are searching for a replacement for Chauncey Billups, who was arrested on federal charges in October. Splitter filled in for Billups on an interim basis.

  Van Gundy returned to coaching as an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024 after a lengthy broadcasting career with ESPN. Van Gundy was most recently ya head coach with the Houston Rockets before he was fired in 2007.

  Nori is a longtime assistant coach under Chris Finch with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nori has been considered a finalist for previous head coaching jobs that eventually went to other candidates.

• Executive Says Kawhi Leonard May Be Better Trade Target Than Giannis Antetokounmpo

  While Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates offseason trade discussion, at least one NBA executive believes the Los Angeles Clippers hold an equally compelling asset in Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers must decide this summer whether to extend, trade or hold Leonard, who has one season at $50 million remaining on his contract.

  "Every day you hear about what's going to happen with Giannis, but everyone ignores that Kawhi has been better and healthier over the last two seasons," the Eastern Conference executive said. "If you had a chance to acquire one or the other, I might go Kawhi."

  Leonard averaged 28 points on 51% shooting while appearing in 65 games this season, numbers that would typically prompt an immediate extension discussion. His lengthy injury history complicates that calculus and offsets his status as an All-NBA talent this past season.

  The Clippers remain under NBA investigation for possible salary cap circumvention, though one Western Conference general manager dismissed the idea of contract nullification.

  "There's no way they're voiding his contract even if the league finds them guilty," the GM said. "That would be a reward, clearing the Clippers' books for them."

  The consensus at the draft combine favored the Clippers keeping Leonard for 2026-27. Opinion split on whether to extend him or let the season play out.

  "I would just play it out and not extend him," a West scout said. "He clearly wants to be in Los Angeles, so I wouldn't be in a rush to lock him in early."

  Los Angeles also acquired the fifth overall pick in June's draft via the Indiana Pacers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade, a development one Western Conference executive called significant in shaping the franchise's next move with Leonard.

• 2026 NBA Draft Lottery: Wizards At No. 1, Ahead Of Jazz, Grizzlies, Bulls

  The Washington Wizards, who had the best odds at 14 percent, have won the lottery and the No. 1 overall pick. The Utah Jazz will hold the No. 2 pick ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3 and the Chicago Bulls at No. 4.

  The Indiana Pacers were fifth and must convey their selection to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade at the deadline.

  The top four picks are expected to be some combination of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson. The 2026 draft has also became touted for its depth, especially at guard with the likes of Darius Acuff Jr., Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown Jr. and Brayden Burries.

  Out of all the teams in the lottery, the Jazz were most tightly connected to Dybantsa who has surpassed Peterson on many teams draft boards. But the Wizards will dictate how the draft plays out as they have a challenging decision to make at No. 1. The Wizards made a pair of trades for veteran All-Stars this season in Trae Young and then Anthony Davis.

  The Wizards previously won the lottery in 2001 (Kwame Brown) and 2010 (John Wall). The Jazz had never previously moved up in the draft lottery.

  2026 NBA Draft Lottery Results

  1. Washington Wizards
  2. Utah Jazz
  3. Memphis Grizzlies
  4. Chicago Bulls
  5. Los Angeles Clippers (via Indiana Pacers)
  6. Brooklyn Nets
  7. Sacramento Kings
  8. Atlanta Hawks
  9. Dallas Mavericks
  10. Milwaukee Bucks
  11. Golden State Warriors
  12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
  13. Miami Heat
  14. Charlotte Hornets

• Rockets Passed On James Harden Reunion Due To Concerns On How He'd Impact Young Core

  Despite mutual interest and a clear need at point guard following Fred VanVleet's torn ACL, the Houston Rockets declined to pursue a reunion with James Harden this season, prioritizing the development of their young core over a short-term fix, sources told ESPN.

  Harden's representatives contacted Houston after the Los Angeles Clippers stumbled to a 6-21 start, gauging interest in a potential return to the franchise that originally built around him before trading him to the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021.

  VanVleet's season-ending knee injury, suffered during a players-only mini-camp in the Bahamas in late September, had left Houston without its primary playmaker and locker room anchor.

  The Rockets declined despite the obvious need and the way Harden had maintained his All-Star status. The Rockets didn't want the presence of Harden on the floor to hinder the development of Reed Sheppard, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.

  "We're not really looking for a heliocentric player, as great as James still is," one team source told ESPN. "We want to develop Reed, we want to develop Amen and we want the ball in Alpy's hands."

  A second source was equally direct.

  "We weren't going to put the ball in [Harden's] hands, so why would you trade for James if you're not going to give him the ball?"

  This was not the first time Houston passed on a Harden reunion. In 2023, the Rockets chose to sign VanVleet to a three-year, $130 million contract rather than pursue Harden after he failed to secure a maximum extension with the Philadelphia 76ers.

  The decision to bypass Harden this season reverberated throughout the first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Sheppard, Thompson and Sengun each produced tantalizing moments alongside inexplicable ones, with poor shot selection and decision-making contributing directly to losses.

  Harden was ultimately traded by the Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of the deadline in February.

• Aspiration Founder Cooperated With NBA's Kawhi Leonard Salary Cap Investigation

  Joseph Sanberg, the Aspiration co-founder facing federal sentencing April 27, provided substantial cooperation to the NBA's ongoing salary cap circumvention investigation involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers, the league's lead investigator confirmed in a court letter.

  David Anders of Wachtell Lipton stated in an April 17 filing that Sanberg sat for two in-person interviews, supplied relevant documents, and delivered information consistent with the league's broader review of evidence.

  "Mr. Sanberg's cooperation substantially assisted our investigation, including our ability to develop a more complete understanding of key events," Anders wrote.

  The NBA launched its probe in September 2025 following reports that Leonard's $28 million Aspiration sponsorship was structured to circumvent the salary cap. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer had invested $50 million in the company in 2021, with the club separately announcing a $300 million, 23-year sponsorship agreement. Ballmer made an additional $10 million investment in March 2023.

  Sanberg previously pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, with prosecutors alleging he defrauded investors of $248 million. Each count carries a maximum 20-year sentence. His attorneys are seeking leniency, describing him as motivated by purpose rather than personal gain.

  In a separate court letter, Ballmer's attorney stated the Clippers owner lost his entire $60 million Aspiration investment after the company declared bankruptcy in 2025, and has suffered extensive reputational damage. The Clippers lost nearly all $300 million in sponsorship payments and more than $20 million held in escrow.

  Ballmer has additionally been named in a civil lawsuit by 11 former Aspiration investors. He has denied all allegations and sought dismissal of the case.