The NBA has handed down one of the biggest punishments in league history to the Los Angeles Clippers after finding the franchise circumvented salary cap rules to sign star player Kawhi Leonard. Following a nearly year-long investigation into flagrant violations, the league fined the organization $30 million and penalized Leonard $700,000 on Wednesday.
As part of the penalties, the Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks, leaving the team with no natural pick in the draft from 2029 through 2033. The league ruled that the team circumvented rules when courting Leonard as a free agent.
The NBA also issued several suspensions for those involved. Owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended from all league and team activities for one year. Additionally, president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year, and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for six months.