Michael McCann of Sportico takes a closer look at what the Department of Justice’s reported investigation into the Clippers’ dealings with Kawhi Leonard might mean for the team. Federal prosecutors for the Eastern District of New York have opened a criminal inquiry into the Clippers following allegations that they arranged “no-show” endorsement deals with four companies to pay Leonard more than his typical NBA salary.

As McCann writes, just because a criminal inquiry has been launched doesn’t necessarily mean charges will be sought. Not all investigations conclude with a finding of criminal behavior.

However, the government also has much broader authority to “compel the disclosure of evidence and testimony” than the NBA does. Failure to comply with a federal investigation or lying to prosecutors can lead to various criminal charges; penalties far more severe than the basketball-related sanctions the league imposed when it found the team circumvented the salary cap.

McCann’s article is interesting and worth reading in full for more context on what the probe might focus on and the factors that could impact how it may play out.

Here’s more from around the Western Conference:

• Bradley Beal will switch jersey numbers for the upcoming season, tweets Etienne Catalan, going from No. 0 to No. 3. It’s worth noting that no one had worn No. 3 since Chris Paul’s initial Clippers departure in 2017. The franchise legend had an acrimonious exit from the Clips last season, when he again wore No. 3, and said in February on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast (Twitter video link) that president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank told him his No. 3 would hang in the rafters of the Intuit Dome shortly before he was informed he was no longer welcome around the team.
• Beal, a three-time former All-Star who wore No. 3 in his 11 seasons with Washington and two in Phoenix prior to signing with the Clippers last summer and switching to No. 0, took to social media to address the controversy (Twitter links). “Is that the topic of the day? Lol,” Beal wrote initially, followed by: “(Paul’s) a legend! The HISTORY and BRAND can’t be touched, nor erased!!!“
• In case you missed it, the Clippers will be among the major storylines at this week’s Board of Governors meetings, which will take place on Monday and Tuesday.