Kawhi Leonard’s signing as a free agent by the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2019 has sparked yet another discussion, with previous Clippers strength and conditioning trainer Randy Shelton suing the team last week on accusations that he broke NBA anti-tampering laws.
Even before the Clippers signed Leonard, the group’s romance of the two-time NBA Finals MVP drew club censure. The NBA fined the Clippers$ 50, 000 after then-head coach Doc Rivers, while serving as a commentator on a TV broadcast, described Leonard as” the most like]Michael ] Jordan that we’ve seen”. Not long after the filing, there were baseless reports that Leonard’s brother, Dennis Robertson, sought part obligations from NBA teams interested in signing his brother. A Los Angeles man named Johnny Wilkes, who purported to be Robertson’s “best friend,” brought a lawsuit against the Clippers and team consultant Jerry West the following year, alleging that West agreed to pay Wilkes$ 2.5 million as part of the Leonard signing but never paid ( the case was dismissed in 2022 ).

Shelton is the subject of the most recent book, which involved him working with Leonard at San Diego State and afterward providing him with strength and conditioning service while he played for the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Birds. Shelton claims that Leonard’s “indirectly” through him as the Clipper ‘ recruiting tool in 2017 was the first step.
Shelton asserts that a Clippers associate GM, Mark Hughes,” sought personal health data about Leonard” during “numerous sessions” and over multiple phone calls. Hughes also reportedly shared the group’s “desire to receive Leonard”. Shelton even claims that he met with Lawrence Frank, the president of sports operations, in February 2019. According to Frank, Frank reportedly promised to get Shelton and Leonard if Leonard joined the Clipper. Shelton’s issue makes reference to meetings with other Clipper ‘ officers as well.
Shelton’s charges against Clippers executives in the lead-up to Leonard’s filing go against the NBA’s Content 35A. This section includes an anti-tampering delivery that forbids any try to entice, persuade, or convince a person who is contracted with another team to visit the tampering team. In addition to other possible sanctions, groups that violate Article 35A may face fines and losing their draft takes.
Shelton claims that he was unaware that his position would be significantly smaller than he had been promised when the Clipper hired him. He claims that Todd Wright was hired as an assistant manager and vice president of player effectiveness because the group” subverted” its claims. According to Shelton, Wright was given the duties and responsibilities the Clippers had promised him, but he felt rushed into a spot and given much freedom to work with Leonard.
Shelton also asserts that when he “advocated for Leonard’s health and safety” and “reported discrimination and retribution,” she was the victim of job discrimination. Shelton asserts that, over his gruff complaints, the Clippers rushed Leonard back to play after he tore his ACL in the 2021 finals. Shelton also contends that Leonard was given” significant minutes” by the Clippers when he returned in 2022 despite promises that Leonard’s rehabilitation may be continuous and prudent. Shelton even criticizes the Clippers for “demanding” Leonard’s profit right away after the team allegedly injured his ankle in 2022.

Shelton claims that as a result of his protests to the group’s treatment of Leonard, he was essentially silenced at work. He claims that he wrote to Frank in April 2023 to complain. Although Frank wrote back saying that he took Shelton’s concerns “various seriously” and pledged to investigate, Frank fired Shelton in July 2023 without ( as Shelton tells it ) reason or cause.
Shelton’s complaint was filed in a Los Angeles County better judge. He is represented by Anthony Nguyen of Shegerian &amp, Associates. The problem demands a jury trial and unnamed damages, including Shelton’s job damage, lost income, and psychological and emotional suffering.
In response to the petition, the Clipper released a statement saying they presently investigated Shelton’s claims and determined they’re “without significance”. The group describes Shelton’s complaint as a” stir down” that relies on charges” Mr. Shelton should hear are false”. The Clipper claim to have paid Shelton in full and honored his employment contract.
In the days ahead, Clippers ‘ attorneys may answer Shelton’s issue and deny wrongdoing. The team may also activity for the complaint’s termination. There are several possible explanations the Trimmers will increase to prove that.
For beginners, if the Clipper believe Shelton’s charges are commendable, they would have had strong motivation to sit the dispute—that is, give Shelton to decline his claims—before Shelton sued. How exactly they hired Leonard was a contentious and good sensitive subject for the Clipper, and the situation certainly drew headlines. The Clippers and staff executives could be punished if they messed up, according to the NBA, which has stated it may look into the situation. The Clippers ‘ failure to negotiate points to a comfortable future in court and with the NBA.
The Clipper can also point out that the NBA has already evaluated the filing of Martin, just like it does for other free agent additions, for compliance with regulations. Additionally, the group has definitely examined the drafting with special attention given that the filing has already been the supply of litigation. Shelton’s charges, it seems, did not result in league-wide difficult discoveries.
If Shelton has any proof to back up his says, it will remain to be seen as well. His problem mentions a number of distinct charges, such as telephone calls and conferences. Whether he has writings, emails, tapes, photos or videos to help his story of occasions is questionable.
The Clippers might also believe that Leonard, his broker, the National Basketball Players ‘ Association, or other health-related experts would have protested if Shelton’s claims were accurate. Shelton might find it difficult to come up with that document despite what she may have. It is also possible, if not unlikely, that Leonard pleaded with his team to win the game back on the jury as soon as possible.
Assume the Clippers to shed further light on Shelton’s departure. The team may use Shelton’s employment history to support his departure, which the group believes was legal and reasonable.