‘Nobody swayed my mind to signing with Clippers’: Kawhi Leonard speaks out about Jerry West investigations

Kawhi Leonard backed Jerry West through investigations regarding allegations made by a Johnny Wilkes.

Johnny Wilkes is a former high school friend of Kawhi’s uncle, Dennis. Wilkes has filed a lawsuit for $2.5 million. He claims that Jerry West had promised him that sum in exchange for helping to recruit the 2019 NBA Finals MVP.

The Clippers front office issued the following statement in defense of their front office consultant:

“The lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes is replete with inaccuracies and the allegations are baseless. The Clippers are fully cooperating with the NBA in its investigation, which is standard when these types of allegations are made. They are providing the NBA with evidence that the allegations are false.”

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Kawhi Leonard backs Jerry West through allegations

If these allegations turn out to be true, it would be in violation of NBA policy. Jerry West and the Clippers would almost certainly be disciplined by the league office. Thus, Kawhi threw his weight behind his front office:

“Not at all. That has nothing to do with me coming here. Nobody swayed my mind. I’m from LA. I grew up here my whole life. Out here, people try to find any way to get some money. It probably won’t be the last. I know a lot of people out here.”

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The Clippers played their preseason finale on Thursday night. The Klaw finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists in 22 minutes. After the game, Leonard was made available to members of the media, where he was asked about his relationship with Wilkes and his influence on joining the Clippers.