Steve Ballmer’s acceptance of the league’s penalties for salary cap circumvention could clear the way for the Kawhi Leonard trade to be completed soon. A source close to Leonard told Sam Amick and Matt Schubert of The Athletic that he expects the deal to be finalized “in the coming days.”

The Clippers and Raptors agreed to the trade in late June, but Toronto paused it on July 9 due to concerns that the investigation might result in a suspension for Leonard or possibly the voiding of his contract. He wound up with a relatively light punishment — being forced to pay the league $700K — while his playing status wasn’t affected.

Assuming the deal remains in its current form, L.A. will send Leonard to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, Toronto’s unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a first-round pick swap in 2027 and second-round picks in 2030 and 2033. The draft assets are particularly valuable for the Clippers, who were docked five first-round picks as part of the league’s disciplinary action.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line is less optimistic that the deal will be completed “imminently” (Twitter link), stating that the Clippers still aren’t ready to conduct any major business as they reconfigure their front office after Ballmer, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and president of business operations Gillian Zucker were all suspended by the league.

As of Sunday night, the Clippers hadn’t decided who will represent them as interim governor as the league’s Board of Governors prepares to open its two-day meeting today in New York City (Twitter link). Fischer confirms a weekend report that the NBA is open to processing a trade call on the Leonard deal regardless of whether an interim governor has been appointed.

A year-long investigation by the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz law firm determined that the Clippers helped Leonard secure a $28 million no-show contract with Aspiration and similar arrangements with three other companies. Ballmer originally called the findings a “witch hunt” and vowed to fight the penalties, but he was much more conciliatory in a statement issued late Sunday night, expressing “sincere regrets” and accepting responsibility as principal owner.