NBA penalizes Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap violations involving Kawhi Leonard
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 6:23 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
The NBA issued penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, September 2, following a salary cap circumvention scandal involving Kawhi Leonard. The sanctions include the loss of five future draft picks starting in 2029, targeting team owner Steve Ballmer and senior leadership for their roles in the matter. The Boston Celtics, who possess swap rights for some of these assets, face uncertainty regarding the ultimate value of these picks. While the impact remains under review, potential scenarios include the rights being affected by the Stepien rule or a devaluation of picks due to lottery reforms. The league’s decision aims to address competitive balance issues arising from allegations of no-show endorsement deals used to circumvent league restrictions. Future clarity from the NBA will be required to determine how these specific punitive measures influence the existing draft pick agreements held by the Boston Celtics.
- •The NBA announced penalties on September 2 for salary cap circumvention.
- •Sanctions include the forfeiture of five Los Angeles Clippers draft picks beginning in 2029.
- •The Boston Celtics hold swap rights that may be impacted by the loss of these picks.
- •The NBA investigation focused on allegations of no-show endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard.
- •League officials have not yet confirmed the final impact on external trade agreements.
- 6:23 PMYahoo Sports — The NBA judgment on the Clippers for the Kawhi scandal could impact the Boston Celtics
- 7:11 PMYahoo Sports — Did the Boston Celtics get good news from the NBA judgment on the Kawhi -Clippers scandal?
- 10:23 PMYahoo Sports — How does the NBA ruling on Clippers - Kawhi scandal impact the Boston Celtics?
"With several supposed 'smoking guns' of evidence provided by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, and Katz, the decision made by the Association is final.
"In short, we do not yet know explicitly, but we can draw some conclusions based on what is being reported.
"There is a case to be made this is a boon for the Celtics in the near-term future.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 6:23 PMThe NBA judgment on the Clippers for the Kawhi scandal could impact the Boston Celtics
With several supposed 'smoking guns' of evidence provided by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, and Katz, the decision made by the Association is final.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 7:11 PMDid the Boston Celtics get good news from the NBA judgment on the Kawhi -Clippers scandal?
There is a case to be made this is a boon for the Celtics in the near-term future.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 10:23 PMHow does the NBA ruling on Clippers - Kawhi scandal impact the Boston Celtics?
In short, we do not yet know explicitly, but we can draw some conclusions based on what is being reported.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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