NBA fines Clippers $30m, suspends several executives in Kawhi Leonard probe
Summary
The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $30 million and took away five future first-round draft picks because the team broke salary cap rules involving player Kawhi Leonard. Several Clippers executives were suspended, and Leonard was fined $700,000. The team and Leonard deny any wrongdoing and plan to challenge the NBA’s decision.Key Facts
- The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million for breaking salary cap rules related to Kawhi Leonard.
- The team will lose one first-round draft pick each year from 2029 to 2033, totaling five picks.
- Kawhi Leonard was fined $700,000 but denies knowing about any rule-breaking intentions.
- Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year for helping Leonard get deals that violated NBA rules.
- Team president Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year without pay for endorsing improper deals and lying to investigators.
- President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months without pay for approving improper expenses.
- The violations involved offering Leonard off-court income opportunities through team sponsors as incentives.
- The Clippers say the NBA’s investigation was unfair and plan to fight the penalties through legal procedures.
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