The Los Angeles Clippers are under the microscope after explosive allegations of financial impropriety involving Kawhi Leonard surfaced, and the fallout has now reached beyond Los Angeles.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton became the latest high-profile figure to weigh in, dropping a witty one-liner that instantly spread across social media and added another layer to the league’s most talked-about controversy.
Haliburton, appearing on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff before Iowa State’s CyHawk showdown with Iowa, was reliving his college days in Ames when the conversation shifted toward Leonard‘s alleged “no-show” contract.
Former NFL running back Mark Ingram playfully asked if he knew where to apply for one of those lucrative jobs.
Haliburton cracked up before delivering his six-word punchline: “Tell them to find me too!”
The remark drew laughter from the set and quickly traveled across the basketball world, highlighting just how much Leonard‘s situation has become a running joke, even among fellow NBA stars.
The scandal that shook the Clippers
The controversy began when journalist Pablo Torre reported that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer may have funneled money to Leonard through a company called Aspiration.
According to documents, Aspiration entered a $28 million deal with Leonard‘s business, KL2 Aspire, LLC, but former employees alleged the All-Star forward did not provide meaningful work.
The situation grew more tangled when additional reporting suggested Leonard’s company may have received as much as $48 million through the arrangement.
Ballmer himself had reportedly invested $50 million into Aspiration, raising further questions about whether the deal was designed to get around the NBA’s salary cap restrictions.
“The $48 million commitment by Aspiration to Leonard and Ballmer‘s $50 million investment stands as two separate transactions,” wrote John Karalis of the Boston Sports Journal. “The league is currently investigating whether there is a connection that circumvented salary cap rules.”
If the NBA determines the Clippers violated cap rules, potential punishments could include heavy fines, lost draft picks, or voided contracts, penalties that could destabilize a franchise trying to shed its long-held reputation as the Lakers’ little brother.
Haliburton’s joke masks serious undertones
While Haliburton‘s line was meant as humor, it underscored just how much damage the scandal has already done to the Clippers‘ public image. The Pacers guard is no stranger to media attention, and his quick wit has often made him a fan favorite.
That he felt comfortable poking fun at one of the NBA’s most private stars reflects how the allegations have crossed into mainstream chatter.
The timing is notable. Haliburton, who averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists last season, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that ended Indiana’s run in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Out for the entire 2025-26 season, the 24-year-old has stayed visible through media appearances, where his upbeat personality continues to shine despite the setback.
“Tell them to find me too!” may have been a throwaway quip, but it doubled as a reminder of how deeply Leonard‘s alleged deal has resonated across the league.
What’s next for Leonard and the Clippers?
The NBA’s investigation is still ongoing, and there is no clear timeline for when conclusions might be reached. Leonard has not addressed the allegations publicly, while Ballmer attempted to cool the situation in a recent interview but failed to stop the speculation.
The Clippers, meanwhile, face a pivotal season. The opening of their Intuit Dome was supposed to mark a new era for the franchise, one where they finally stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Lakers as championship contenders.
Instead, they enter the campaign under a cloud of doubt, their legitimacy questioned not for basketball reasons but for off-court maneuvering.
Regardless of the investigation’s outcome, the reputational damage is already significant. Memes are circulating widely, Haliburton‘s joke is gaining traction, and fans are treating the Clippers less like a powerhouse and more like a punchline.
For a team that has spent years trying to reinvent itself, this is a setback with real consequences.
For now, Leonard‘s play on the court remains his strongest defense. But as the scandal continues to ripple through the NBA, his reputation, and the Clippers‘ credibility, hang in the balance.
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