The real reason Kawhi Leonard missed the All-Star game? Coach voting influenced by the shadow contract controversy, joked that he might prefer staying home.

On February 3rd Beijing time, according to ESPN reporter Winhurst,NBA insiders think that the main reason Kawhi Leonard was not selected by coaches for the Western All-Star team is probably because of the controversy involving the shadow contract.Up to now this season, Leonard is averaging 27.6 points and 2 steals per game, ranking seventh and first league-wide in these stats. Yet, despite the All-Star game being held in his home arena, he was not chosen for the reserve lineup.

The seven Western All-Star reserves are selected by coaches' votes, but they skipped Leonard. According to Winhurst’s report, this may be linked to the “fake endorsement” controversy involving Leonard and a Clippers sponsor. The coaching staff and league likely want to avoid having this NBA annual event overshadowed by an ongoing investigation.

In the 35 games Leonard has played, he averages 27.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, with a shooting percentage of 49.5% and a three-point percentage of 39.1%. By comparison, LeBron James has played 4 fewer games, averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, with an overall shooting percentage of 50.5% but a three-point percentage of only 32.9%.

Indeed, Leonard is not the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, but neither LeBron nor his team have been involved in salary cap violation controversies. Earlier reports stated Leonard received over $28 million from a Clippers sponsor without needing to promote the brand, mention the company, or do anything he opposed. That company filed for bankruptcy in March 2025.

US media noted that if Leonard ends up the only All-Star from the Clippers (noting Harden also missed out), this endorsement deal will almost certainly become a hot topic.Perhaps the NBA privately reminded coaches with All-Star reserve voting power to favor players like LeBron and Booker; or maybe the league simply does not intend to reward the Clippers amid alleged tax evasion violations.

As early as October last year, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated that the investigation into the Clippers’ alleged violations “would take some time.” This is partly due to the complexity of the case itself and partly because the sponsor company founder Joseph Samberg faces a federal investigation—he admitted in August 2025 to defrauding investors of $248 million.

However, the NBA prefers to announce penalties after the season ends for easier implementation. Leonard’s contract runs through the 2026-27 season; if the league finds violations in this contract, nullifying it during the offseason is much smoother than suddenly making a superstar a free agent midseason. Similarly, any draft pick or salary cap penalties on the Clippers are easier to enforce in the offseason.

During All-Star Weekend, Silver and the NBA will inevitably be questioned about the Clippers and their owner Steve Ballmer. They can simply respond that “the matter is still under investigation,” which is convenient especially given the federal cases involved.

US media suggests Leonard still has a chance to join the All-Star game as an injury replacement, but considering his usual media avoidance—a habit established before this controversy—he might prefer to stay home.