Los Angeles, CA – The National Basketball Association is investigating Jerry West concerning allegations made against him involving his recruitment of NBA star Kawhi Leonard.
West, who is a consultant and an Executive Board Member with the Los Angeles Clippers, is accused of promising to pay a man close to Leonard $2.5 million for helping Leonard sign to play for the Clippers in 2019.
According to TMZ Sports, Johnny Wilkes, the friend of Leonard, claims that Jerry West promised him $2.5 million and is seeking the $2.5 million plus damages.
West told TMZ Sports, “I deny engaging in any improper conduct in connection with the signing of Kawhi Leonard.”
In addition, the Clippers released a statement that said the following: “The lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes is replete with inaccuracies and the allegations are baseless. The Clippers are fully cooperating with the NBA in its investigation, which is standard when these types of allegations are made. They are providing the NBA with evidence that the allegations are false.”
The Clippers signed Leonard to a three-year, $103 million deal before last season. If the Clippers are found guilty of these allegations, they could be fined up to $10 million and lose picks in the NBA Draft.
The NBA has reportedly launched an investigation into allegations that Jerry West agreed to pay a man, who claims to be a friend of Kawhi Leonard, $2.5 million for help in getting the two-time Finals MVP to join the Clippers.https://t.co/BHlor4qBoc
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 18, 2020
