NBA penalizes Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard for salary cap circumvention

The NBA concluded its investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers, finding the franchise guilty of circumventing the league's salary cap to compensate Kawhi Leonard. As part of the sanctions, the team faces the loss of five first-round draft picks and suspensions for top front-office personnel. Kawhi Leonard received a $700,000 fine for his involvement in the matter. Following the announcement, commentator Stephen A. Smith publicly criticized the penalty against Kawhi Leonard as insufficient, suggesting the player should have faced stiffer financial consequences for the arrangement. The Los Angeles Clippers have vowed to challenge the league's verdict, describing the findings as heavily biased. Dennis Robertson, who previously represented Kawhi Leonard, received a lifetime ban from the league as a result of the investigation into the improper payments.

• 4:13 AMYahoo Sports — Stephen A. Smith condemns ‘worst superstar in American sports history’ Kawhi Leonard