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The NBA has stripped the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks and fined owner Steve Ballmer $30 million at the conclusion of its probe into alleged salary cap circumvention with All-Star Kawhi Leonard.
The league is also fining Leonard $700,000.
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The NBA announced the decision Wednesday. The Clippers will be stripped of first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.
Leonard, who has since ben traded to the Toronto Raptors in a deal that’s been held up by the NBA’s investigation, released a statement on social media shortly after the league’s announcement.
“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.
“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.
“For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.”
The decision comes months after journalist Pablo Torre unveiled the possible violation during an episode of his podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out.” During the program, Torre revealed an agreement between Leonard and a now-bankrupt company called Aspiration, in which Ballmer was heavily invested. The agreement paid Leonard $28 million to essentially do nothing. Ballmer was accused of using the $28 million deal as a way to circumvent the NBA salary cap and give Leonard more money to sign with the franchise.
On the day the story originally broke, the Clippers and Ballmer denied any wrongdoing, issuing a statement denying the allegations made by Torre.
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A portion of the team’s statement read:
“Neither the Clippers nor Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap. The notion that Steve invested in Aspiration in order to funnel money to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/nba-reportedly-strips-clipper-of-5-first-round-draft-picks-fines-steve-ballmer-30m-in-kawhi-leonard-salary-cap-circumvention-probe-202637985.html
Author : Chris Cwik,Jason Owens
Publish date : 2026-09-02 20:26:00
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