An NBA investigation is underway into whether LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used Aspiration, a financial tech company, to circumvent the salary cap regarding Kawhi Leonard's contract. Ballmer invested nearly $10 million in Aspiration, which was struggling financially and had previously paid Leonard $1.75 million. The investigation centers on whether Leonard's Aspiration deal was a disguised salary increase. Ballmer denies wrongdoing, while Aspiration's co-founder pleaded guilty to fraud charges. The NBA commissioner will determine if any rules were broken.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.