The Los Angeles Clippers have been fined $30 million and stripped of five first-round draft picks following an NBA investigation into salary-cap violations involving Kawhi Leonard.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, while team executives Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker also received suspensions.
Leonard was fined $700,000 but denied knowing about any attempt to circumvent the NBA’s salary-cap rules.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described the violations as serious, saying the punishment reflects the importance of maintaining the league’s competitive balance.
The sanctions could have major long-term consequences for the Clippers, particularly because of the loss of five first-round picks.
