Clippers accuse NBA of ‘biased’ Kawhi Leonard investigation after harsh punishments

The LA Clippers are facing immense penalties after the NBA’s investigation into the franchise amid allegations of salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. Steve Ballmer and the Clippers, however, plan to fight back.

In a statement posted on Wednesday afternoon, shortly after the league published the findings of law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and announced the subsequent punishments, the Clippers released this statement to ClutchPoints:

“We vehemently reject the NBA’s findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it’s fairness and accuracy.

“For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence.

“We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.”

The LA Clippers statement on the NBA's findings and subsequent punishment:

"We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us… https://t.co/B9CjXo3ND2 pic.twitter.com/oL8eRBsgFD

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 2, 2026

This comes after the NBA announced immense punishments following the year-long investigation.

The penalties begin with the Clippers having to forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts. The franchise is also being fined $30 million.

Additionally, owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, for approving a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement agreement with Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules.

President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended one year without pay and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended six months.

The NBA has announced their findings from the Kawhi Leonard investigation and HEAVILY punished the LA Clippers.

— Clippers forfeit 5 first-round draft picks – one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.

— Clippers are fined $30 million.

— Clippers owner… pic.twitter.com/3hSnS82Z6F

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 2, 2026

According to the NBA however, the league’s rulings are final and there is no formal appeal or arbitration process available to the Clippers with the league to fight their decision. The Clippers’ only avenue remaining is to fight the punishment is in court.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

The post Clippers accuse NBA of ‘biased’ Kawhi Leonard investigation after harsh punishments appeared first on ClutchPoints.