Jeff Passan reveals how Clippers’ punishment compares to the 2017 Houston Astros

Wednesday, September 2, will be a day remembered for a very long time in the NBA, and it may not ever be forgotten among the Los Angeles Clippers organization.

The NBA just dropped the hammer on the Clippers organization, especially on owner Steve Ballmer and former star player Kawhi Leonard.

“At the forefront of the Clippers’ punishments is having to forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts. The Clippers are also being fined $30 million,” ClutchPoints Clippers writer Tomer Azarly pointed out. “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.”

This may be the biggest punishment in NBA history, and one that can be compared to Major League Baseball.

Jeff Passan, ESPN’s MLB insider, compared this punishment to the Houston Astros’ punishment from 2017.

“For context: Major League Baseball stripped the Houston Astros of their first- and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021 as part of the penalty for the team’s sign-stealing scheme during its World Series-winning 2017 season.”

While both circumstances can be considered cheating, the Clippers got a far worse end of the deal. This punishment could set the franchise back a lot, as they won’t be able to draft in the first round for five years unless they make some future trades. Free agents likely won’t want to sign in LA as a result.

Sports have seen a ton of punishments over the years: Cincinnati Reds’ Pete Rose betting scandal, USC’s Reggie Bush scandal, Manchester City’s cheating scandal, the Astros’ 2027 scandal, and now the Clippers. This one may rank above the rest.

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