NBA issues sanctions against the Clippers for salary cap circumvention
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 1:00 AM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026

The NBA levied significant penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers following an investigation into salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. The team must forfeit five first-round picks and pay a $30 million fine., the league suspended two team presidents and barred team owner Steve Ballmer from all team activities for one year. The investigation focused on allegations that the organization used arena construction contracts with Daktronics to facilitate a multimillion-dollar endorsement deal for Leonard. League findings relied on testimony from Daktronics employees and statements from Joe Sanberg. While the Clippers organization accepted the league's findings, Steve Ballmer and the team's counsel indicated plans to challenge the decision through external legal proceedings.
- •The Clippers forfeited five first-round draft picks and received a $30 million fine.
- •Steve Ballmer is suspended from all team activities for one year.
- •Two team presidents received suspensions from the league.
- •The investigation linked arena vendor contracts to endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard.
- •The Clippers plan to pursue legal remedies against the NBA's findings.
- 1:00 AMYahoo Sports — Clippers Leveraged Daktronics’ Financial Crisis To Give Kawhi Leonard A ‘Grade A Kickback’ Deal
"The NBA's report on the Kawhi Leonard investigation suggests someone on the Clippers tried to take advantage of Daktronics' financial situation.
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