Trainer Exposes Unsafe Injury Treatment for Leonard; Clippers Also Violated Rules in Recruitment

October 25, 2023 — According to renowned sports journalist Chris Haynes, former Los Angeles Clippers trainer Randy Shelton has filed a lawsuit against the Clippers, alleging wrongful termination and other charges. He claims he was fired after reporting that Kawhi Leonard received unsafe and improper injury treatment.

Haynes also shared a statement from the Clippers, who denied Shelton’s allegations. “We investigated Mr. Shelton’s claims and found them to be without merit,” the Clippers told Haynes. “We fulfilled our employment agreement with Mr. Shelton and fully compensated him. This lawsuit is a delayed attempt to extort the Clippers through baseless allegations.”

Haynes also received a statement from John David, the attorney representing Shelton.

“We hope our client’s lawsuit will awaken the Clippers to the fact that players are not just monetary assets but require proper—not rushed—health and rehabilitation treatment to secure their careers and future lives,” David said.

Haynes also released detailed information about the lawsuit Shelton filed against the Clippers.

In the lawsuit, Shelton claims that the Clippers hired him to help secure the signing of Kawhi Leonard, as he had previously worked with Leonard at San Diego State University.

The Clippers hired Shelton as a strength and conditioning coach during the same offseason they signed Leonard.

According to ESPN, the lawsuit alleges that the Clippers contacted Shelton as early as 2017, when Leonard was still with the San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers communicated with Shelton approximately 15 times over the phone and held multiple in-person meetings to gather more “private health information” about Leonard.

Shelton also claims he met with Lawrence Frank, the president of basketball operations for the Clippers, and was “personally assured” that if Leonard signed, the team would reserve a position for him.

Currently, both the Clippers and Shelton’s attorney have issued statements, and this incident will likely remain a focus in the coming days.