A former Los Angeles Clippers trainer sued the organization Thursday, alleging he was wrongfully fired in 2023 for complaining that the team was subjecting Kawhi Leonard to "unsafe and illegal treatment" for his ongoing knee injuries in disregard for the star small forward's safety.
Randy Shelton's Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit allegations also include retaliation, whistleblower retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Shelton seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
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Shelton was fired for speaking out against the "unsafe and illegal treatment" of Leonard, in disregard for the player's health and safety and known medical restrictions, the suit alleges.
The team issued a statement regarding the lawsuit.
"Mr. Shelton's claims were investigated and found to be without merit," the statement read. "We honored Mr. Shelton's employment contract and paid him in full. "This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations that Mr. Shelton should know are false."
The Clippers hired Shelton in July 2019, convincing him to leave his previous position at San Diego State University and the plaintiff's arrival "was the culmination of a multiyear campaign by the L.A. Clippers to sign Leonard," the suit states.
After Leonard himself left San Diego State years before, he hired Shelton to help him get ready for the NBA.
The suit alleges the Clippers "sought to ride Leonard's back to success, in disregard for the load placed upon Leonard's failing knees and ankle" as well as paying no attention to the psychological harm to Shelton, according to the suit.
Despite Leonard's suffering of additional ankle injuries in November 2022 that should have been red flags that additional healing time was needed, team officials "demanded productivity now, circumventing Shelton and excluding Shelton from pertinent information regarding Leonard's prognosis and care," the suit alleges.
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