Kawhi Leonard Drops Major Announcement Amid NBA Investigation
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IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Kawhi Leonard’s offseason tour in Asia was expected to be a quiet escape from the storm surrounding the NBA’s ongoing investigation into his endorsement dealings. Instead, the Clippers star surprised fans with a completely different revelation. Standing in front of cameras in Hong Kong, Leonard announced he’s been working on music, hinting at a collaboration with producer Top Barry and promising something new is dropping soon.
“We’ve been working on some music out here as well, so stay tuned,” Kawhi told cameras during his offseason tour via Kawhidagoat1 on X. “Yeah, me and Top Barry got something dropping.”
Leonard’s Asia schedule has included youth camps, fan events, and a planned 1-on-1 against a Chinese streetballer in Wuhan.
He gave no specifics, but it marked the first time Leonard has announced a personal track while his NBA career is unsettled. He has been involved in music before, appearing in Drake’s 2021 “Way 2 Sexy” video and executive-producing the Culture Jam project with Lil Uzi Vert and Rod Wave. But he has never teased a personal track.
The Wait Continues for Raptors and Leonard’s Camp
The teasing announcement from Leonard came just days after the NBA publicly disputed an ESPN report on the Clippers investigation, while a reported trade sending Leonard back to Toronto remains frozen.
Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season. At that level of production, he remains a cornerstone asset, which makes the unresolved probe even more consequential.
The investigation, now more than 11 months old, centers on and around a $28 million Aspiration endorsement deal described as a possible no-show arrangement tied to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. Additional reports revealed a separate deal with Daktronics, the company behind Intuit Dome’s video board.
Commissioner Adam Silver has said he wants the probe wrapped before the 2026–27 season. Until then, the Clippers and Raptors cannot finalize the package that would send Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft assets.
Now, although Leonard is looking to do something new with his music, all eyes would certainly remain on his NBA future.
Ubong Archibong is an NBA writer at BasketballNews, bringing over two years of experience in basketball coverage. Having previously worked with BasketballNews, Sportskeeda and FirstSportz, he has developed a strong foundation in delivering timely and engaging content around the league. His coverage focuses on game analysis, player performances, and evolving narratives across the National Basketball Association. Blending statistical insight with storytelling, Ubong aims to go beyond the immediate headline by placing performances and moments within a broader context, helping readers better understand the dynamics shaping the game. His work prioritizes clarity, accessibility, and a fan-first approach that connects audiences to both the action and the personalities behind it. Before joining BasketballNews, Ubong covered the NBA and WNBA across multiple platforms, building experience in fast-paced reporting and deadline-driven publishing. His background in content writing has strengthened his ability to balance speed with accuracy, ensuring consistent and reliable coverage for a global audience.
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