West, Clippers accused of scam to get Leonard
The NBA is investigating the Clippers days after a lawsuit alleged team consultant Jerry West promised a man $ 2.5 million for help signing Kawhi Leonard in 2019, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Thursday.
A representative of West dismissed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, which first reported the lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes.
“I deny engaging in any improper conduct in connection with the signing of Kawhi Leonard,” the statement read.
Wilkes’ lawsuit in Los Angeles said West and Wilkes met April 10, 2019, in Staples Center and spoke on June 28, days before free agency began. That’s when West allegedly propositioned Wilkes, who the lawsuit described as the best friend of Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson.
The lawsuit alleges that close to July 4, the day before Leonard committed to joining the team following a trade with Oklahoma City that landed forward Paul George, Wilkes told Robertson, “at the direction of Jerry West and the Clippers,” that Robertson would receive a house in Southern California, a travel expense account and that owner Steve Ballmer would fund a marketing campaign for Leonard worth $ 100 million if Leonard joined the team.
A Clippers spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment.
Challenge accepted:
Following the recommendation from the league’s competition committee, the NBA’s Board of Governors voted to keep the coach’s challenge as an option. It was introduced last year on a oneyear trial. Coaches challenged 700 calls last season, including the playoffs. Calls were overturned 308 times, a rate of 44%.
The league tweaked two parts of the rule. Teams can no longer challenge the preceding call if they incur a delay of game before asking for the review, and — in situations where officials meet to determine what call to make — the time window that a team has to challenge that call will not begin until they get the final ruling on the play from those referees.
Also approved: Teams can expand rosters on game nights from 13 to 15 for one season, and the trade deadline was set for March 25. The schedule is known through March 4, with the remainder to be determined in the coming weeks.
Preseason games
Timberwolves 129, Mavericks 127: KarlAnthony Towns scored 20 points and the Timberwolves held on to win when 7foot4 center Boban Marjanovic missed a potential winning 3pointer in Dallas. Malik Beasley had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who also got 18 points from Jarrett Culver. No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards came off the bench for 17 points. Luka Doncic had 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Mavericks, though he missed all six 3point attempts and went 6for18 overall.
Jazz 125, Clippers 104:
Bojan Bogdanovic and Jordan Clarkson each made five 3pointers and scored 20 points for host Utah. Donovan Mitchell had 15 points and eight assists for the Jazz.
Rockets 128, Spurs 106:
Christian Wood made his preseason debut with 27 points and 10 rebounds in his first action since leaving Detroit for Houston. James Harden had 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
Pistons 97, Wizards 86: Josh Jackson scored 17 points off the bench for visiting Detroit. Jerami Grant added 15 points and Delon Wright had 13 as the Pistons led by as much as 26 points. Bradley Beal scored 10 points in 16 minutes. Troy Brown Jr. led Washington with 14 points.
Grizzlies 128, Hawks 106: Ja Morant had 18 points and 13 assists for Memphis in Atlanta. Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies with 24 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Memphis made 19 3pointers.
Hornets 123, Magic 115: Terry Rozier scored 20 points and rookie LaMelo Ball came off the bench to add 18 for visiting Charlotte. Devonte’ Graham also had 18 for the Hornets, while Miles Bridges finished with 17. Charlotte made 18 3pointers. Nikola Vucevic had 27 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando.