Former NBA star Danilo Gallinari says Kawhi Leonard wrecked his career and thinks Leonard should pay back the entire $50 million he illegally received from the Los Angeles Clippers.
During an appearance on the A Cresta Alta podcast, Gallinari said a blockbuster trade that brought Paul George to Los Angeles from Oklahoma City in 2019 ended his time with the Clippers, derailing his career. Leonard reportedly made it clear that Los Angeles acquiring George was a condition for him joining the Clippers. After completing the trade, Leonard then signed a four-year, $141 million maximum contract with Los Angeles.
An independent investigation into the Clippers and Leonard found significant salary cap circumvention, resulting in a substantial fine, the forfeiture of five consecutive first-round draft picks, and the suspensions of President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker and franchise owner Steve Ballmer. Following the NBA’s $30 million fine against the Clippers and $700,000 fine on Leonard, Ballmer has accepted his punishment.
Danilo Gallinari thinks the league isn’t punishing Kawhi Leonard enough
Danilo Gallinari doesn’t think that’s good enough. Gallinari argues that Leonard should return his alleged off-contract earnings and donate them to charities. He also asserts that the Clippers traded Gallinari for Paul George in 2019 because of Leonard’s demands.
“He should pay all of that $50 million. He changed the trajectory of my career and put me in a difficult situation by sending me away from Los Angeles,” Gallinari said.
“What happened to my NBA career wasn’t decided by a general manager or an owner, but by a player who decided that team wasn’t good enough and wanted something else. He should give that money to charity. He should pay all $50 million, not just $700,000,” he added.
Gallinari’s anger that Leonard was paid illegally to play for the Clippers is understandable. However, after a year in Oklahoma City, Gallinari signed a three-year, $61.4 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Unfortunately, after two seasons with Atlanta, at the age of 34, he suffered an ACL injury that effectively ended his lengthy NBA career.