The NBA fines the Clippers and star Kawhi Leonard after a league investigation found salary-cap circumvention violations, and the franchise also loses five future first-round draft picks.
The NBA announced the penalties on Wednesday, September 2, following a nearly yearlong investigation.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer received a $30 million penalty and a one-year suspension, while Leonard was fined $700,000 but avoided suspension.
The Clippers must also forfeit first-round draft picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033.
In a statement, the NBA said investigators found a “pattern of misconduct” and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers. The league also described the franchise as a previous offender under its salary-cap circumvention rules.
Those restrictions are governed by the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the National Basketball Players Association.
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The league and the NBPA agreed that the disciplinary measures against Leonard and the Clippers would be final and binding.
