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Kawhi Leonard was the first to react to the punishment and penalties the NBA levied on the parties involved in the Los Angeles Clippers’ salary cap circumvention scheme. In his statement, Leonard emphasized integrity and respect for the game while accepting responsibility for his uncle Dennis Robertson’s lapse in judgment.
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However, many do not believe that Kawhi knew absolutely nothing about what Uncle Dennis was doing on his behalf, especially endorsement deals involving huge sums of money. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is one of the skeptics and in the recent episode of the “Hoop Collective” podcast, he raised a very valid explanation.
“I don’t know what Kawhi knew. But I do know this. If Kawhi did not know that Uncle Dennis was getting him $30-plus million in endorsement deals he wasn’t working for, then Kawhi need to talk to authorities because that would be a multiple-level felony if you’re misrepresenting somebody and taking money on their behalf. To my knowledge, that has not happened,”
Kawhi should’ve sued his uncle for misrepresentation
Uncle Dennis is Kawhi’s maternal uncle, who has stood as one of his father figures after his biological father was killed. Before working with Kawhi, he spent 30 years as a banking executive, including 22 years at JPMorgan Chase. And so it wasn’t a surprise that when Kawhi joined the NBA, he trusted Uncle Dennis with his finances by appointing him as his business manager and representative.
And so, given their relationship, it’s hard to believe that Kawhi did not know what his uncle was doing on his behalf, especially in money matters. However, some theorize that Leonard may not have known because the money never reached his bank account.
But as Windy explained, if that was the case, then Kawhi should sue his uncle for misrepresentation, which is a felony given the circumstances of his case.
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“I find it very unlikely Kawhi didn’t know. But if his explanation is that he didn’t know Uncle Dennis stole tens and millions of dollars in his name, and should be facing federal charges,” Windy reiterated.
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Big Shot Bob also believes Kawhi knew
Like Windhorst, former Los Angeles Lakers forward Robert Horry believes that Kawhi knew what his uncle was doing. During the recent episode of his podcast, the seven-time NBA champ explained that whether or not a player’s business manager is relative or not, that person works for him and, more likely than not, every financial transaction is made known to the player.
“You know, this is one thing that every player understands and knows,”
“Your representative reps you, so they work for you. So they know exactly nine times out of 10 what they are doing. And I think Kawhi got off easy.”
Kawhi getting off easy though, is another story. But the bigger issue here is his denial of any personal wrongdoing and his placing the blame on his uncle. Draymond said he’s giving Kawhi the benefit of the doubt. And maybe Windy’s right, but Kawhi just doesn’t want to file a case against his uncle because of what he means to him. That’s possible too.
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But in this case, we’ll never know.
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This story was originally published September 9, 2026 at 1:55 AM.