NBA drops punishment hammer on Steve Ballmer, Clippers after Kawhi Leonard investigation

After nearly a year of investigating, the NBA has determined that the LA Clippers circumvented the salary cap in with their deals involving Kawhi Leonard. The determination was based upon information developed through an independent investigation conducted by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

The penalties are immense for the Clippers franchise.

To start, the Clippers shall forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.

The Clippers will also be fined $30 million.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Mr. 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 Mr. Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules.

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

Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended without pay for one year for being primarily and directly culpable for the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for providing false and misleading statements to investigators.

Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended without pay for six months for his involvement with the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for approving impermissible expenses incurred by Mr. Leonard and his family.

The Clippers organization and personnel are subject to a compliance and monitoring program overseen by the league office for a period of five years.

In connection with his violations, Mr. Leonard is required to pay the league $700,000.

Mr. Robertson is banned from conducting business or otherwise engaging with NBA teams and their affiliates on behalf of or with respect to any player, employee, or other league or team personnel for a period of five years.

More to come…

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