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

NBA penalizes Clippers for salary cap violations after year-long investigation

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 11:58 PM

Last updated Sep 2, 2026

NBA penalizes Clippers for salary cap violations after year-long investigation

Summary

The NBA issued penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday following a year-long investigation into salary cap circumvention. The league found the team established off-court income opportunities for Kawhi Leonard, including a $28 million endorsement deal through the company Aspiration. As a result, the league fined the Clippers $30 million and stripped the franchise of five future first-round draft picks between 2029 and 2033. Senior leadership faced suspensions, with owner Steve Ballmer suspended for one year, Gillian Zucker suspended for one year without pay, and Lawrence Frank suspended for six months without pay. Kawhi Leonard, who was recently traded to the Toronto Raptors, avoided suspension but was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits received by his former business manager, Dennis Robertson.

Source Links

CBS NBA

Key Details

•The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million and forfeited five future first-round draft picks.
•Owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension from team and league activities.
•Executives Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank face unpaid suspensions of one year and six months, respectively.
•Kawhi Leonard must pay $700,000 in restitution related to benefits received by Dennis Robertson.
•The league investigation uncovered improper off-court financial agreements involving Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.

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