The Los Angeles Clippers have formally denied allegations made by former trainer Randy Shelton, who accused the organization of mishandling Kawhi Leonard’s knee treatment and violating NBA tampering rules. According to court documents obtained by ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, the Clippers called Shelton’s claims “frivolous” in a filing submitted on Thursday.
Shelton, who filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in October, alleged that he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for raising concerns about Leonard’s treatment and the team’s alleged tampering prior to Leonard’s signing in 2019. He claimed that the Clippers provided “illegal treatment” for Leonard’s knee injury and engaged in actions that “leapt well beyond the bounds of the NBA constitution.”
In response, the Clippers flatly rejected Shelton’s assertions, stating, “There was no ‘tampering’ before the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers did not provide ‘illegal treatment’ to Mr. Leonard. And [Shelton] was not terminated in ‘retaliation’ for anything. The court should not be fooled.”
The organization went on to claim that Shelton was dismissed in July 2023 for unprofessional conduct, specifically for offering unapproved and unsolicited medical advice to players. The Clippers argued that Shelton overstepped his professional boundaries, citing examples such as recommending medical procedures like blood-flow restriction therapy without proper training, knowledge of the players’ medical conditions, or authorization from team doctors or supervisors.
The team alleged that Shelton’s actions disrupted relationships between players, their trainers, and the organization while jeopardizing player health and safety. They also noted that despite his termination, Shelton continued to receive full salary payments through June 2024.
Shelton, who joined the Clippers in 2019 shortly after Leonard’s arrival as a free agent, previously worked with Leonard at San Diego State. In his lawsuit, Shelton claimed the team deliberately withheld critical information about Leonard’s condition and sidelined him professionally after he voiced his concerns.
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In addition to the allegations surrounding Leonard’s treatment, Shelton accused the Clippers of tampering violations during Leonard’s recruitment, which he claimed breached NBA rules.
However, the Clippers contended that Shelton demanded millions of dollars before filing the lawsuit when those demands were not met. They are now seeking to resolve the matter through arbitration.
The case underscores ongoing tensions surrounding player health management and compliance with league regulations.
Both sides appear resolute in their positions, setting the stage for what could be a contentious legal battle.
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