The NBA has refuted the claims presented in an ESPN report regarding the investigation into Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. According to ESPN’s article released on Monday morning, three sources stated that the NBA did not discover any proof suggesting Ballmer used team sponsors to compensate Kawhi Leonard, aiming to bypass the salary cap.

The report implied that the NBA’s scrutiny is centered on whether the Clippers’ introduction of Leonard to team sponsors breaches the league’s regulations against salary cap manipulation. NBA spokesperson Mike Bass contradicted the ESPN article on Monday afternoon, emphasizing that it contains numerous inaccuracies. Bass assured that the outcome of the NBA’s inquiry will be disclosed upon its conclusion.

A potential trade involving Leonard between the L.A. Clippers and the Toronto Raptors has been paused pending the league’s decision on potential penalties.