NBA sanctions Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention

The NBA issued penalties to the Los Angeles Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer following an investigation into salary cap circumvention during Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 free agency. The league-commissioned report identified $66 million in prohibited side deals promised to Leonard, funneled through several companies. Ballmer received a one-year suspension and the franchise was fined $30 million. Additionally, the team forfeited five first-round draft picks as part of the disciplinary action. Leonard was fined $700,000, while his advisor Dennis Robertson is banned for five years from engaging with NBA teams. The investigation highlighted demands for compensation that violated collective bargaining agreements during the team's efforts to acquire Leonard and Paul George. The Clippers organization remains under scrutiny as it faces significant roster and draft capital losses following the sanctions.

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