Chris Rock apparently couldn't resist.
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The comedian took a jab at Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers' salary-cap scandal while appearing in Toronto for the world premiere of Misty Green at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Yes, Toronto. The city where Leonard remains basketball royalty after leading the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship. He has been traded back, though the trade has yet to go through.
Rock referenced the controversy surrounding Leonard and his endorsement agreement with the now-bankrupt company Aspiration, which became the centerpiece of the NBA's investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules.
Chris Rock with some Kawhi shade at the world premiere of Misty Green at TIFF in…Toronto pic.twitter.com/jMdkTRZkIr
— Gregory Ellwood - The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) September 13, 2026
The league ultimately determined that violations occurred and handed down significant penalties against the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer.
So, yeah, Leonard's name isn't exactly disappearing from the news cycle anytime soon.
Rock bringing it up in Toronto added another layer to the joke. Leonard spent only one season with the Raptors, but it was a fairly memorable one. He led Toronto to its first championship, won NBA Finals MVP and then left for the Clippers in free agency.
Seven years later, Toronto still loves Kawhi. Apparently, Chris Rock is willing to risk the room.
