Decoding the Kawhi Leonard Investigation, with DeMaurice Smith

A superstar held up by the salary cap. A billionaire under the microscope. A league inquiry hidden from public view. De Smith has seen this playbook for punishment before. The former NFL union boss — and white-shoe law-firm investigator — returns to answer questions the NBA still won't: Who is "independent" when the league (and Steve Ballmer, in particular) pays the legal bill? Why would witnesses participate if they face potential criminal exposure? How do unions play the long game? And what obligation does a league have to its fans, if cheating can be the baseline?

• Read "Turf Wars" by DeMaurice Smith

• Subscribe to PTFO on YouTube for breaking-news updates on Kawhi-Gate

• Previously on PTFO: The Man Who (Relentlessly) Sued the NFL Has Receipts

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