Randy Shelton, a former trainer for the Los Angeles Clippers, has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the team and its president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank. The lawsuit, first reported by NBA insider Chris Haynes, claims Shelton was dismissed after raising concerns about the treatment of star player Kawhi Leonard.
Shelton alleges that Leonard was subjected to medical practices that violated NBA protocols, particularly concerning his injury management. According to the lawsuit, the Clippers’ approach to Leonard’s rehabilitation disregarded safety measures, which prompted Shelton to voice his concerns. Additionally, the lawsuit mentions that the Clippers’ recruitment of Leonard extended beyond the boundaries of NBA tampering rules.
Shelton’s attorney issued a statement through Haynes, saying, “We hope that our client’s lawsuit will serve as a wakeup call to the Clippers organization that their players are not just dollar values, but are humans requiring proper – and not hastened – health and recovery treatment for the careers and lives afterwards.”
Shelton joined the Clippers in 2019, following his prior experience with Leonard at San Diego State, where he was a strength and conditioning coach. He claims his recruitment was part of the Clippers’ long-term efforts to bring Leonard to Los Angeles. According to the lawsuit, Clippers assistant general manager Mark Hughes had reached out to Shelton in 2017 while Leonard was still with the San Antonio Spurs to gather health information on the player.
The lawsuit further asserts that the Clippers rushed Leonard’s recovery from an ACL tear in 2021 and allowed him to play after showing signs of a concussion during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 25, 2023. Shelton claims Leonard was not properly evaluated according to NBA protocols, which led to further injuries, including a meniscus tear during the 2023 playoffs.
After Leonard’s 2023 playoff injury, Shelton submitted a written complaint to Frank, stating that the “mishandling of Kawhi Leonard’s injury and return-to-play protocol has been mind-blowing” and that the team’s disregard for Leonard’s recovery process was “unacceptable.” Less than three months after filing the complaint, Shelton was terminated without cause.
The Clippers have denied the allegations. “Mr. Shelton’s claims were investigated and found to be without merit. We honored Mr. Shelton’s employment contract and paid him in full,” the team stated. “This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations that Mr. Shelton should know are false.”
Shelton is seeking unspecified but “significant” damages, according to his legal team. The NBA has not commented on the lawsuit, as a league spokesperson told ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and Ramona Shelburne that they were unaware of the legal action taken against the Clippers.
