NBA drops hammer on Clippers, Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard: Live updates
The NBA has imposed severe penalties on the Los Angeles Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer, and former player Kawhi Leonard for salary cap circumvention. The team faces a $30 million fine and the loss of five first-round draft picks, while Ballmer is suspended for one year.
Why it matters
This is one of the most significant disciplinary actions in NBA history, highlighting the league's strict enforcement of financial regulations.
Hear this story The NBA has dropped the hammer on Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers . And now, the Toronto Raptors must assess what they will do next.
A league-backed investigation that spanned 11 months concluded the Clippers circumvented the salary cap with its alleged facilitation of "no-show" endorsement deals for Leonard, their former star forward, the NBA announced Wednesday, Sept. 2 in a news release .
The Clippers are being fined a staggering $30 million, and the team will forfeit five first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA drafts. Leonard has been fined $700,000, payable to the NBA, though he avoids any suspension. The league, however, is suspending Ballmer, the team's owner, from all league activities for one year.
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