NBA penalizes LA Clippers for cap circumvention regarding Kawhi Leonard

The NBA issued major sanctions against the LA Clippers following an investigation into salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. The league docked the franchise five first-round picks from 2029 to 2033 and suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one year along with a $30 million fine. Team executives Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank also received lengthy suspensions without pay. The investigation concluded that the team engaged in prohibited practices to provide Leonard with extra compensation through off-court endorsement deals. As part of the fallout, Leonard has been traded to the Toronto Raptors. The Oklahoma City Thunder stand to benefit from the Clippers' reduced future assets, as they hold swap rights to the Clippers' 2027 first-round pick.

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