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League: NBASport: BasketballCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

NBA penalizes Los Angeles Clippers for cap circumvention regarding Kawhi Leonard

10 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 2:45 AM

Last updated Sep 3, 2026

NBA penalizes Los Angeles Clippers for cap circumvention regarding Kawhi Leonard
Summary

The NBA issued penalties to the Los Angeles Clippers following an investigation into salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. The league stripped the organization of five first-round draft picks spanning 2029 through 2033. Owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension from team activities and a $30 million fine. President of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year without pay, while president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension without pay. The investigation centered on an impermissible endorsement arrangement between Leonard and Aspiration, a company tied to a sponsorship deal with the franchise. Reports indicated Leonard received $28 million over four years for the partnership without performing required services.

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Status Watch
  • •The NBA stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of first-round picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033.
  • •Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year.
  • •Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank face suspensions without pay for their roles in the arrangement.
  • •Investigators determined the endorsement deal was a condition for Aspiration's sponsorship of the franchise.
Latest Updates
  • 2:45 AMYahoo Sports — Was Kawhi Leonard's punishment too light? 'I think it could have been worse'
  • 12:13 AMYahoo Sports — Did Kawhi Leonard get off light in the NBA's Clippers crackdown? | Opinion
  • 11:50 PMYahoo Sports — NBA strips Clippers of 5 first-round draft picks after probe, fines Kawhi Leonard and Steve Ballmer
  • 11:46 PMYahoo Sports — Clippers news: LA mocked for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George cost that will haunt them
  • 10:51 PMYahoo Sports — NBA hits Clippers with heavy sanctions in Kawhi Leonard case
  • 9:25 PMYahoo Sports — Clippers-Kawhi Leonard investigation punishments: L.A. stripped of 5 first-round picks, more harsh penalties
  • 9:17 PMYahoo Sports — NBA Drops Hammer On Clippers: 5 First-Round Picks Stripped As Kawhi Leonard Is Forced To Pay $700K
  • 9:11 PMYahoo Sports — Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Scandal Ends With Devastating NBA Reckoning
What they're saying
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As a result of the NBA’s investigation into the LA Clippers about possible salary cap circumvention in regards to Kawhi Leonard, the team will have to forfeit five first round draft picks, among other punishments . The Clippers were already paying a hefty price as far as draft picks go in the assets they gave up to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the […] The post Clippers news: LA mocked for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George cost that will haunt them appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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The Los Angeles Clippers were stripped of five first-round draft picks and fined $30 million by the NBA on Wednesday after a probe uncovered major salary cap violations involving star Kawhi Leonard.The Clippers will forfeit a first-round NBA Draft pick every year 2029-2033 after having been found to have aided Leonard in getting around salary cap rules in deals with team corporate sponsors.

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The Los Angeles Clippers got handed a devastating punishment from the NBA for their cap circumvention investigations. The post Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Scandal Ends With Devastating NBA Reckoning appeared first on LA Sports Report.

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Los Angeles ClippersToronto RaptorsOklahoma City ThunderSan Antonio SpursDetroit PistonsNBABasketball

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