Clippers face league penalties and federal probe over salary cap violations

The NBA issued significant sanctions against the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer following findings of salary cap circumvention. The organization must forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine, while the league suspended Ballmer from all team and league activities for one year. Clippers beat writer Joey Linn cited these actions as evidence of an underlying insecurity within the organization regarding its status in Los Angeles. Linn suggested the franchise has long attempted to distinguish itself from the Lakers through unconventional tactics, including the L.A. Our Way campaign. Player Kawhi Leonard was also fined $700,000 for his role in the violations. The franchise is now under a federal criminal investigation related to the league's findings.

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