Kawhi denies allegations that he was pushed to sign with Clips
LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard was all smiles Wednesday night while being interviewed on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show. Billy Crystal, a Clippers fan, quizzed the All-Star forward on Crystal’s movies. Leonard told Kimmel why the fictional snow wasset inspired the design of his holiday-themed New Balance sneakers.
One night later, following the Clippers’ 125-105 loss to Utah in their preseason finale, Leonard didn’t flash a grin when describing Johnny Wilkes, however. Wilkes is the man whose lawsuit against the Clippers and team consultant Jerry West has sparked an investigation by the NBA into Leonard’s free-agency recruitment last year.
In the lawsuit, Wilkes alleges that he provided information that helped the Clippers sign Leonard. Wilkes claims he asked to be paid $2.5 million for his assistance, which West agreed to pay, and that as free agency neared, the team promised other inducements, including a travel expense account and house for Dennis Robertson, Leonard’s uncle and someone Wilkes calls a “best friend.”
Leonard, after scoring 13 points in 22 minutes against the Jazz, said Wilkes did not play a role in his decision to sign with the Clippers.
“That has nothing to do with me . nobody swayed my mind to go somewhere,” Leonard said. “I’m from L.A. and I grew up here my whole life. And out here, people try to find any way to get some money. It probably won’t be the last. I know a lot of people out here.”
The Clippers called the allegations baseless and said they were “providing the NBA with evidence that the allegations are false.”
The Clippers open the season Tuesday against the Lakers, who did not play either LeBron James or Anthony Davis during either of their two preseason matchups against the Clippers.
“The first quarter of the half, I was pleased with our defensive effort, our defensive intensity,” coach Tyronn Lue said. “And offensively we did some good things as well. Paul George and Kawhi are gonna shoot the ball better going forward. But defensively, until we got into our zone, I thought we did a good job.”
JAZZ SALE APPROVED
The NBA’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale Friday of the Utah Jazz to a group led by technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith, ending the Miller family’s 35-year run as owners of the franchise.
The deal includes Vivint Arena, the team’s G League affiliate and management of a Triple-A baseball club. Part of the sales agreement calls for the team to remain in Utah.
“Ryan Smith is a forward-thinking, community-minded entrepreneur and business leader who will be a fantastic addition to our league,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
Smith is a cofounder of the Utah-based firm Qualtrics, which was sold to SAP for $8 billion in an all-cash deal finalized last year.
He expressed excitement in a statement released through the team. “I grew up as a big Jazz fan, and that makes this day even more special,” said Smith, whose wife, Ashley, is also part of the
ownership group. “The Jazz have a phenomenal leadership team who will continue to guide the organization. We are all committed to building, and to building in Utah.”
Larry and Gail Miller bought 50% of the Jazz in May 1985 for $8 million, then bought the remaining 50% the following year for $14 million. Forbes, in its annual valuation of franchises, said the Jazz were worth $1.55 billion earlier this year. The Miller family will retain a stake in the franchise.
The Jazz have the NBA’s thirdbest record since the 1985-86 season, their .588 winning percentage in that span trailing only San Antonio (.633) and the Los Angeles Lakers (.596).