Retiring NBA Star Shades the Clippers with Subtle Jab

The Los Angeles Clippers may have traded away Kawhi Leonard, but the Aspiration scandal doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

Longtime NBA star Kyle Lowry retired Tuesday as a Toronto Raptor, his home for nine of his 20 seasons.

Addressing the media regarding his retirement, Lowry referenced his former teammate Leonard, who won an NBA championship with Lowry in 2019 and attended the event to support his friend.

Lowry then let loose a double entendre that may have encouraged Raptors fans but almost assuredly left some Clippers supporters with a bad taste in their mouths.

What did Kyle Lowry say about the Clippers scandal?

Asked about the Leonard trade, Lowry thanked the Klaw for being present and praised the Raptors front office for putting together a team that can contend for a championship.

“They’re trying to win another championship, starting with that guy right there,” Lowry said, nodding toward Leonard. “You get to that point, a championship is the only aspiration, and that’s why he’s here.”

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On its face, it sounds like typical athlete-speak, but the choice of the word “aspiration” definitely raised some eyebrows around the sports world.

Kawhi Leonard has a history with Aspiration

The Clippers, who are under investigation for allegedly trying to circumvent the salary cap, purportedly did so by giving Leonard a large no-show endorsement deal with a sustainability company.

That company’s name? Aspiration.

The cofounder of Aspiration, Joe Sanberg, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for wire fraud, but thus far, the Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer and Leonard have avoided any potential punishment.

That raises the question: Was it championship aspirations that brought Leonard back to Toronto, or was it a desire to distance himself from the Clippers and the Aspiration scandal?

Obviously, no one can know for sure until the NBA’s investigation wraps up, but Lowry’s use of that specific word definitely piqued people’s interest.

Do you think Leonard, Ballmer or the Clippers will face any punishment for the Aspiration scandal?

The post Retiring NBA Star Shades the Clippers with Subtle Jab appeared first on LA Sports Report.