NBA Fines Los Angeles Clippers $30 Million in Leonard Case
The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $30 million. The team broke salary-cap rules involving star player Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA also suspended Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year. The league fined Leonard $700,000 too.
Investigators found the Clippers secretly funneled money to Leonard. This was done to get around the salary cap.
The team arranged deals for Leonard with four companies. It also paid some of Leonard's personal expenses.
The Clippers will lose five first-round draft picks starting in 2029. The NBA also suspended team leaders Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank.
It banned agent Dennis Robertson for five years. The league will monitor the team for five years too.
The penalties are final but Clippers called them unfair. Leonard said he acted in good faith.
The investigation began in September 2025. It followed reports of a $28 million deal with company Aspiration.
Key Terms 4
- Salary cap A limit on how much money NBA teams can pay players.
- Steve Ballmer Owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team.
- Kawhi Leonard A star basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Aspiration A company involved in a disputed endorsement deal with Leonard.