League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Trades

NBA fines LA Clippers $30m for salary cap rules violations

Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 9:21 PM

Last updated Sep 2, 2026

NBA fines LA Clippers $30m for salary cap rules violations

Summary

The NBA issued a $30m fine to the LA Clippers for violating salary cap regulations concerning the acquisition and compensation of Kawhi Leonard. The league’s investigation found the franchise helped the former star obtain unauthorized off-court income opportunities. In addition to the record-setting fine, the team must forfeit five first-round draft picks scheduled between 2029 and 2033. Owner Steve Ballmer faces a 12-month suspension from all league and team activities, while president of business operations Gillian Zucker has been suspended for one year without pay for providing misleading statements. Leonard, who left the franchise earlier this year, was personally fined $700,000 for his involvement. The league will subject the Clippers to a five-year compliance and monitoring program.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports BBC Sport Sky Sports

Market Watch

•The NBA fined the LA Clippers $30m for salary cap violations regarding Kawhi Leonard.
•The franchise will forfeit five first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033.
•Owner Steve Ballmer received a 12-month suspension from team and league activities.
•Kawhi Leonard was personally fined $700,000 for his role in the violations.
•Gillian Zucker is suspended for one year without pay for misleading investigators.

Latest Updates

9:50 PMYahoo Sports — NBA dishes heavy punishment to Clippers, Kawhi Leonard for salary cap circumvention
9:21 PMBBC Sport — LA Clippers fined $30m by NBA over Leonard deal
9:08 PMYahoo Sports — LA Clippers fined $30m by NBA over Leonard deal

What they're saying

"
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing the music. After a lengthy investigation, the NBA announced Wednesday that the Clippers and star player Kawhi Leonard have violated salary cap circumvention rules, now resulting in significant punishments for the franchise. The NBA is fining the Clippers $30 million and stripping them of five first-round draft picks spanning from 2029-33.
— Yahoo Sports

"
The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $30m and star player Kawhi Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty by the NBA on Wednesday for violating salary cap circumvention rules.
— Sky Sports