NBA Hits Clippers With Historic Penalties Over Kawhi Leonard Cap Case
The NBA has levied a sweeping set of penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers over salary-cap circumvention in their dealings with Kawhi Leonard, including the loss of five future first-round draft picks, a $30 million fine and a yearlong suspension for owner Steve Ballmer. The sanctions follow a lengthy league investigation and are being viewed as one of the most severe disciplinary actions in recent NBA history.
NBA Hits Clippers With Historic Penalties Over Kawhi Leonard Cap Case
The NBA has handed the Los Angeles Clippers one of the most severe punishment packages in league history, docked for violating salary-cap rules in a case centered on star forward Kawhi Leonard.
According to reporting from ABC and other outlets, the leagueâs investigation into the Clippersâ dealings with Leonard uncovered salary cap circumvention that resulted in a sweeping set of sanctions against the franchise.ABC Clippers punishment story
A Massive Hit to the Clippersâ Future
The sanction that will reverberate longest is the forfeiture of five future first-round draft picks.
- The Clippers must give up first-round selections in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033, stripping the organization of much of its longâterm draft capital.ABC Clippers punishment story
- In addition to the picks, the team has been hit with a $30 million fine, a substantial financial penalty even for a bigâmarket franchise.ABC Clippers punishment story
International coverage of the decision has echoed the scale of the sanctions, emphasizing that the Clippersâ draft punishments and fine are tied directly to violations detected in the NBAâs probe into the clubâs arrangements with Leonard.Russian basketball news roundup