Five Things: Kawhi Leonard Trade’s Potential Impact on Clippers and Raptors
The NBA fined Kawhi Leonard $700,000 and levied a $30 million penalty and five forfeited first-round picks against the Clippers following a yearlong salary-cap investigation.
- On Wednesday, the NBA penalized the Los Angeles Clippers with a $30 million fine and forfeiture of five first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033 for salary cap circumvention involving superstar Kawhi Leonard.
- Clippers owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension from all team activities, while President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank face one-year and six-month suspensions respectively.
- Leonard received a $700,000 fine for improper benefits provided to his uncle but avoided suspension or contract forfeiture. He stated he "entered into my contract" in good faith with no knowledge of circumvention intent.
- The star forward now plays for the Toronto Raptors after a trade two months ago, acquired for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. He is focused on "closing this chapter" and leading Toronto's young core.
- Compounded by prior trades, Los Angeles faces a 13-year draft drought, unable to use its own first-round pick until 2034. The franchise confronts significant challenges in roster construction following the league's unprecedented sanctions.
32 Articles
32 Articles
NBA Bans Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer For One Year And Fines Team $30M Over Kawhi Leonard Salary Cap Scandal
The NBA has handed down sweeping penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers and team owner Steve Ballmer following a league investigation into illegal salary cap circumvention involving star forward Kawhi Leonard. The league’s investigation found that the Clippers illegally funneled millions of dollars to Leonard through third parties, bypassing the NBA’s established salary cap rules. Ballmer, one of the league’s wealthiest and most high-profile…
Clippers punished for violating cap rules
The Los Angeles Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine for violating salary cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard, the NBA said Wednesday while also suspending team owner Steve Ballmer.
Kenny Smith Says NBA's Clippers' Punishment Is Appropriate, They Cheated
Kenny Smith admits the NBA went straight for the Clippers' neck, but he doesn't think the punishment was excessive ... when you consider Steve Ballmer's team skirted the rules in a major way!
The NBA imposed an extraordinary punishment on the Los Angeles Clippers for a scheme to circumvent the pay ceiling and, in so doing, generated a series of questions about what comes next for the team, their property and Kawhi Leonard.
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