NBA penalizes Clippers and Steve Ballmer for salary cap circumvention
10 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 9:08 PM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
The NBA stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks and fined team owner Steve Ballmer $30 million following a yearlong investigation into salary cap circumvention. Commissioner Adam Silver also issued a one-year ban against Ballmer from the league. The probe focused on allegations that the organization funneled money to Kawhi Leonard through a side agreement with the company Aspiration, where Ballmer held significant investments. The Clippers and Ballmer previously denied these allegations, maintaining that they adhered to league rules throughout the signing process. This decision follows a series of reports initiated by journalist Pablo Torre. The league's ruling concludes an investigation that began after questions arose regarding potential benefits provided to Leonard during his tenure with the team.
- •The NBA stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks.
- •Steve Ballmer received a $30 million fine and a one-year ban from the league.
- •The investigation centered on alleged improper payments to Kawhi Leonard via Aspiration.
- •The Clippers and Ballmer consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the probe.
- •Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors in June.
- 9:47 PMESPN — Clippers lose five first-round picks, fined $30M
- 8:52 PMThe Guardian Sport — Clippers docked five first-round draft picks and fined $30m over Kawhi Leonard scandal
- 8:52 PMYahoo Sports — Clippers docked five first-round draft picks and fined $30m over Kawhi Leonard scandal
- 8:47 PMYahoo Sports — NBA fines the Clippers $30M, penalizes Kawhi Leonard $700,000 in cap circumvention case
- 8:40 PMYahoo Sports — NBA strips Clippers of five first-round picks, fines Steve Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard probe
- 8:39 PMCBS Sports — NBA hammers Clippers, Steve Ballmer for salary cap circumvention as Kawhi Leonard avoids suspension
- 8:34 PMYahoo Sports — Every penalty the NBA dropped on Clippers and Kawhi Leonard after investigation ends
- 8:26 PMYahoo Sports — NBA strips Clippers of 5 first-round draft picks, fines Steve Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention probe
"The NBA has handed down one of the biggest punishments in the history of the league to the Los Angeles Clippers after finding that the franchise circumvented salary cap rules when it courted Kawhi Leonard as a free agent. The NBA also fined the Clippers $30m, and suspended owner Steve Ballmer from all league and team activities for a year. In addition, the league issued suspensions to president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for their involvement in the scheme.
"Team circumvented salary cap rules to sign star Owner Steve Ballmer lands one-year ban The NBA has handed down one of the biggest punishments in the history of the league to the Los Angeles Clippers after finding that the franchise circumvented salary cap rules when it courted Kawhi Leonard as a free agent. The league has stripped the team of five first-round draft picks, giving the team no natural pick in the draft from 2029 through 2033. Continue reading...
"The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $30 million and star player Kawhi Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty by the NBA on Wednesday for violating salary cap circumvention rules. Owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been suspended without pay for six months and president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year, all for their involvement.
Sources
External links- ESPNSep 2, 2026, 9:47 PMClippers lose five first-round picks, fined $30M
Among the punishments announced by the NBA following an investigation into the Clippers: a loss of five first-round draft picks and a fine of $30M. Owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year.
- The Guardian SportSep 2, 2026, 8:52 PMClippers docked five first-round draft picks and fined $30m over Kawhi Leonard scandal
Team circumvented salary cap rules to sign star Owner Steve Ballmer lands one-year ban The NBA has handed down one of the biggest punishments in the history of the league to the Los Angeles Clippers after finding that the franchise circumvented salary cap rules when it courted Kawhi Leonard as a free agent. The league has stripped the team of five first-round draft picks, giving the team no natural pick in the draft from 2029 through 2033. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:52 PMClippers docked five first-round draft picks and fined $30m over Kawhi Leonard scandal
The NBA has handed down one of the biggest punishments in the history of the league to the Los Angeles Clippers after finding that the franchise circumvented salary cap rules when it courted Kawhi Leonard as a free agent. The NBA also fined the Clippers $30m, and suspended owner Steve Ballmer from all league and team activities for a year. In addition, the league issued suspensions to president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for their involvement in the scheme.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:47 PMNBA fines the Clippers $30M, penalizes Kawhi Leonard $700,000 in cap circumvention case
The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $30 million and star player Kawhi Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty by the NBA on Wednesday for violating salary cap circumvention rules. Owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been suspended without pay for six months and president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year, all for their involvement.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:40 PMNBA strips Clippers of five first-round picks, fines Steve Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard probe
NBA strips Clippers of five first-round picks, fines Steve Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard probe
- CBS SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:39 PMNBA hammers Clippers, Steve Ballmer for salary cap circumvention as Kawhi Leonard avoids suspension
The NBA released the findings of its nearly year-long investigation into salary cap circumvention allegations on Wednesday
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:34 PMEvery penalty the NBA dropped on Clippers and Kawhi Leonard after investigation ends
The NBA handed down a heavy penalty that will impact the Los Angeles Clippers, Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard and more.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:26 PMNBA strips Clippers of 5 first-round draft picks, fines Steve Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard salary cap circumvention probe
The NBA has stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks and fined owner Steve Ballmer $30 million at the conclusion of it’s probe into alleged salary cap circumvention with Kawhi Leonard, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 8:24 PMNBA Finds Clippers Violated Salary Cap, Bans Ballmer For a Year
The Clippers were fined $30 mililon.
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