Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn have initiated an early-stage criminal investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers used undisclosed endorsement arrangements to increase Kawhi Leonard’s income while violating NBA salary-cap rules, The New York Times reported. The inquiry follows the NBA’s yearlong review, which resulted in a $30 million fine for the team, the forfeiture of first-round picks in the 2029 through 2033 drafts, a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer and a $700,000 restitution payment by Leonard. The NBA said Ballmer sought to help Leonard obtain off-court income and approved a business arrangement that was a precondition for fintech company Aspiration to sign an endorsement deal with the player. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also sought information from Daktronics, while a league-commissioned investigation found that Daktronics and two other companies had paid Leonard $18 million by August 2021 through highly unusual endorsement agreements. The Clippers reject the NBA’s findings and plan to challenge the penalties, while Leonard has accepted responsibility for lapses in judgment by people in his inner circle. He is expected to join the Toronto Raptors for the upcoming season.