Latest news with #Clippers
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Robertson asked team officials for part ownership of the team, a private plane..." - Kawhi Leonard's uncle demanded "illegal" benefits from the Lakers in 2019
"Robertson asked team officials for part ownership of the team, a private plane..." - Kawhi Leonard's uncle demanded "illegal" benefits from the Lakers in 2019 originally appeared on Basketball Network. During the 2019 offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers made an ambitious move by trading for Anthony Davis and trying to sign two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard in free agency. They had already secured LeBron James the season before, creating the possibility of a superteam that could dominate the next era of NBA basketball. For a few weeks, the idea of James, Davis and Leonard sharing the same locker room felt like a potential turning point in league history. But that dream never materialized. Despite their aggressive push, the Lakers were eventually left on the outside looking in as Leonard opted to join the crosstown Los Angeles Clippers. Outrageous requests In the weeks and months that followed, the story of what happened behind the scenes slowly unraveled — and at the center of it was Dennis Robertson, Leonard's uncle and trusted adviser. His alleged "illegal" demands cast a shadow over the negotiations, raising serious questions about what it actually took to land a superstar in modern free agency. "Sources say the league was told that Robertson asked team officials for part ownership of the team, a private plane that would be available at all times, a house and — last but certainly not least, a guaranteed amount of off-court endorsement money that they could expect if Leonard played for their team," Sam Amick of The Athletic reported. That kind of ask was audacious and a direct violation of the collective bargaining agreement. No team, not even one backed by the deep pockets of the Lakers, could have legally agreed to those terms. Jeanie Buss, then the Lakers owner, pointed out the illegal nature of the wish list and refused to entertain the perks. That response was about keeping the franchise compliant and above board. For all the desperation to win another banner, Buss wasn't willing to risk tampering charges or worse just to secure a third star. Interestingly, the report adds that similar requests were made to the Toronto Raptors, Leonard's previous team. That suggests the strategy wasn't unique to Los Angeles but rather a broad approach from Robertson during the free agency tour. The NBA eventually investigated the matter and found no concrete evidence that the Clippers, the team Leonard eventually signed with, had granted any of the demands. However, the existence of those demands changed how people talked about Kawhi's free bombshell Leonard ended up signing for the other L.A. franchise as he agreed to a reported three-year, $103 million contract with the Clippers, a move that instantly reshaped the power structure of the league. The same night, the Clippers pulled off a trade for Paul George, sending a war chest of picks and players to Oklahoma City. The Lakers had done everything right from a basketball perspective, cleared cap space, built around two All-NBA stars and offered a massive market with global visibility. But it wasn't enough. Leonard's camp appeared to value control, privacy and autonomy in ways that couldn't be fully accommodated under league rules. That summer became a defining moment in L.A.'s basketball rivalry. The Clippers weren't just an afterthought anymore. They had gone toe-to-toe with the Lakers in the free agency battlefield and walked away with the prize. In the seasons that followed, however, both injuries and inconsistency haunted their playoff runs. And while the Lakers captured the 2020 championship in the Orlando bubble, the Clippers spent that same postseason imploding in the second story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA's Marcus Morris Sr. out of jail after 2 days without bail. 'Money paid back and lesson learned'
Marcus Morris Sr. appears to be back home after more than two days in a Florida jail following his weekend arrest over money he owed to two Las Vegas casinos. Morris, who played for the Clippers and seven other teams during his 11-year NBA career, took to Instagram on Wednesday morning, writing, "I woke up in my bed this morning" after having "to sit for 51 hours no bail and not even a chance to pay it back." "So did I go past the time I needed to repay yea probably did, did i know they would locked me up, hellllllllll No," Morris wrote, followed by four crying while laughing emojis. "I would pay a thing to stay outta jail. Money paid back and lesson learned." Morris was arrested Sunday at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on felony fraud charges out of Nevada. Records from the Las Vegas Township Justice Court indicate that warrants were issued earlier this year for Morris' arrest on the same two felony counts in each case — drawing or passing a check for $1,200 or more with the intent to defraud and theft valued at $100,000 or more. During a hearing Tuesday morning in Florida's Broward County, it was confirmed that the warrants for Morris' arrest in Nevada were over outstanding casino markers for more than $100,000 each. Morris was denied bail pending his extradition to Nevada. Read more: NBA's Marcus Morris Sr. allegedly owes Nevada casinos over $200,000; he's denied bail in Florida A prosecuting attorney representing Florida indicated he had been told that Nevada was willing to consider dismissing the warrants if Morris' debts were paid in full. The judge stated that if the warrants against him were dismissed, Morris would be released. An attorney representing Morris said that 'a large payment' had already been sent via wire in an effort to resolve the issue. Morris is no longer listed on the Broward County Sheriff's Office's inmate directory. Las Vegas Township Justice Court records still list both warrants for Morris' arrest as active, but on Tuesday a new court date was set in both cases for Aug. 6. In his lengthy Instagram post, Morris wrote that he does not appreciate how he has been portrayed by some during his ordeal. "The key word I won't [accept is] fraud because this had nothing to do with no money exchange or me not being able to pay something," he wrote. "My Character means everything to me and my family as well. I hate for Vegas to really make me really look like a criminal over a petty couple hundred. And really made me sit 51 hours over that s—." He said that he and his twin brother, NBA veteran Markieff Morris, will appear "on a platform sometime soon ... to explain what took place and what lessons was learned for the young [athletes] that watch and look up to us." Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
NBA's Marcus Morris Sr. out of jail after 2 days without bail. ‘Money paid back and lesson learned'
Marcus Morris Sr. appears to be back home after more than two days in a Florida jail following his weekend arrest over money he owed to two Las Vegas casinos. Morris, who played for the Clippers and seven other teams during his 11-year NBA career, took to Instagram on Wednesday morning, writing, 'I woke up in my bed this morning' after having 'to sit for 51 hours no bail and not even a chance to pay it back.' 'So did I go past the time I needed to repay yea probably did, did i know they would locked me up, hellllllllll No,' Morris wrote, followed by four crying while laughing emojis. 'I would pay a thing to stay outta jail. Money paid back and lesson learned.' Morris was arrested Sunday at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on felony fraud charges out of Nevada. Records from the Las Vegas Township Justice Court indicate that warrants were issued earlier this year for Morris' arrest on the same two felony counts in each case — drawing or passing a check for $1,200 or more with the intent to defraud and theft valued at $100,000 or more. During a hearing Tuesday morning in Florida's Broward County, it was confirmed that the warrants for Morris' arrest in Nevada were over outstanding casino markers for more than $100,000 each. Morris was denied bail pending his extradition to Nevada. A prosecuting attorney representing Florida indicated he had been told that Nevada was willing to consider dismissing the warrants if Morris' debts were paid in full. The judge stated that if the warrants against him were dismissed, Morris would be released. An attorney representing Morris said that 'a large payment' had already been sent via wire in an effort to resolve the issue. Morris is no longer listed on the Broward County Sheriff's Office's inmate directory. Las Vegas Township Justice Court records still list both warrants for Morris' arrest as active, but on Tuesday a new court date was set in both cases for Aug. 6. In his lengthy Instagram post, Morris wrote that he does not appreciate how he has been portrayed by some during his ordeal. 'The key word I won't [accept is] fraud because this had nothing to do with no money exchange or me not being able to pay something,' he wrote. 'My Character means everything to me and my family as well. I hate for Vegas to really make me really look like a criminal over a petty couple hundred. And really made me sit 51 hours over that s—.' He said that he and his twin brother, NBA veteran Markieff Morris, will appear 'on a platform sometime soon ... to explain what took place and what lessons was learned for the young [athletes] that watch and look up to us.'
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
FireAid retains law firm to review grants, after Trump's misleading criticism
The organizers of the wildfire relief organization FireAid have retained a law firm to review its grantmaking process. The move follows misleading criticism from President Trump and right-wing politicians who have called for FireAid to be investigated. FireAid, a benefit produced by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, music mogul Irving Azoff and others, quickly raised $100 million in January, following the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that tore through southern California. The concert featured A-list performers like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga and Olivia Rodrigo, and the group quickly made $50 million in grants to local nonprofits supporting cash and food aid, housing, childcare and other immediate needs. A second round of $25 million followed, focusing on legal aid, mental health, permit assistance and other continuing issues. A third round will go out later this year. Yet the organization has come under criticism in recent weeks by both Palisades residents and Republican politicians, including California Rep. Kevin Kiley, alleging a lack of transparency in the grantmaking process and disagreements with the strategies for distributing funds. While FireAid has published a detailed report of every group that received funds, President Trump weighed in recently to call FireAid 'A TOTAL DISASTER.' The President continued with misleading criticism, saying the event 'LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEMOCRAT INSPIRED SCAM. 100 MILLION DOLLARS IS MISSING. WAS SUPPOSED TO TO GO TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE VICTIMS, FIRES THAT, WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT, WOULD NEVER HAVE EVEN HAPPENED.' In response, FireAid said that its accounting firm KPMG will have a comprehensive report on the grants' impact ready in December and a six-month progress report within weeks. Additionally, it has 'tasked Latham & Watkins to conduct a comprehensive review of FireAid's governance and grantmaking processes. This review will also include assessing whether recipient organizations are using funds in alignment with FireAid's stated purpose and commitments. We've shared this update with Rep. Kiley, along with documentation showing how FireAid funds are delivering real relief — from food and housing to legal aid and direct cash assistance. 'FireAid was established immediately after the Fires to provide relief through various non-profit charitable organizations that have the infrastructure and experience that could be leveraged to support those affected by the Fires,' the organization continued. 'By allocating funds to non-profit charitable organizations with experience and capability across a broad spectrum of necessary services, FireAid has strived to ensure that assistance reaches the communities and individuals most affected by the Fires in a responsible yet efficient and impactful manner.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chris Paul reveals why he returned to the Los Angeles Clippers: "I've talked a lot about wanting to come back to play and be around my family"
Chris Paul reveals why he returned to the Los Angeles Clippers: "I've talked a lot about wanting to come back to play and be around my family" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Chris Paul, one of the greatest point guards of all time, is returning to the Los Angeles Clippers for his 21st season in the NBA, making Paul just the seventh player in league history to reach that milestone. CP3 famously led the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, orchestrating the highly entertaining "Lob City" era with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Now 40-years-old, CP3's priorities have shifted and instead of chasing championships, he's focused on being with his family. Paul explained his decision to return to the City of Angels during his introductory press conference at the Intuit Dome. "You can chase a championship, you can do all these different things, but there's nothing like your support system, your family, your friends, all this different stuff. I've talked a lot about wanting to come back to play and be around my family… Don't get it twisted. Every game y'all see, I will put my heart into." Los Angeles is home Ever since Paul was traded to the Clips in 2011, his family has been rooted in Los Angeles. The veteran point guard spent the last eight seasons in Houston, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Golden State and San Antonio. He significantly improved each of his teams, most notably taking the Suns to the Finals, but his heart was in Los Angeles, with his family. "This is one of those things I kind of manifested for a long time, sort of tried to speak it into existence," Paul said. "Because I love to hoop, I love to play this game, but I love my family more than any of it." The 12-time All-Star also looks forward to playing in front of his die-hard fans in the brand new Intuit Dome. In his press conference, Paul complimented Clippers fans while taking a jab at the glitzy, Hollywood fans of the Lakers. "The thing I've always really appreciated about being a Clipper is that it's real fans. Y'all ain't coming to the game just for the look, just to show up... I think there's always been a sincere appreciation and love." That sincere appreciation from Clippers fans is truly deserved in Paul's case, as he transformed the franchise from an afterthought that never won even 60 percent of its games in a season to a playoff fixture. Now the Clippers have the NBA's longest streak of consecutive winning seasons, and it all started with the arrival of "The Point God" in 2011. When Paul arrived in Los Angeles in 2011, his former teammate Blake Griffin said it put them on the map. While his return to the franchise he helped turnaround isn't likely to be as impactful on the court, his role could be just as Paul's new role Paul is slated to be a reserve point guard, despite starting every game for the Spurs last season. This iteration of Paul on the Clippers will be less about highlights and more about veteran leadership and unmatched experience. "If I'm really honest, I wanted to get back and play here by any means necessary," Paul said. "I didn't even care what the team looked like. I just wanted to be home, be here with the Clippers." Paul got his wish, and 14 years after sparking the Clippers' rise, he will be playing in front of adoring fans who fondly remember his lobs and ankle-breaking crossovers. More importantly, CP3 will be surrounded by family as he finishes his career on his own story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
