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Clippers and Leonard penalized by NBA for alleged salary-cap violations

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The NBA penalized the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard after an independent investigation into an off-court sponsorship deal.
  • The Clippers will forfeit five first-round picks from 2029 through 2033, while owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension and the team a $30 million fine.
  • Leonard, who was traded to Toronto, must pay $700,000 and said he accepted responsibility for lapses in judgment by people close to him.

The NBA handed the Los Angeles Clippers one of the league’s harshest penalties after investigating an off-court sponsorship deal involving Kawhi Leonard. The punishment closes a year-long saga over allegations that the team circumvented salary-cap rules.

full responsibility for lapses in judgement

— Kawhi LeonardLeonard accepted responsibility for judgment lapses by people in his inner circle.

Los Angeles will lose five future first-round draft picks, covering 2029 through 2033. The franchise already lacks first-round selections in 2027 and 2028 because of earlier trades. The NBA also fined the team $30 million.

Owner Steve Ballmer will be barred from all league and team activities for one year. The league said he knowingly sought to help Leonard “obtain off-court income opportunities” in a way that circumvented salary-cap rules.

For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with

— Kawhi LeonardLeonard described his priorities in a statement after the NBA penalties.

Leonard must pay the NBA $700,000. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors earlier in the summer, but the transaction was put on hold while the investigation continued. In a statement, Leonard said he accepted “full responsibility for lapses in judgement” by people in his inner circle.

As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.

— Kawhi LeonardLeonard said he intended to move forward after the investigation.

“For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with,” Leonard said. “As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.” The NBA said the penalties followed an independent investigation by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

obtain off-court income opportunities

— NBAThe league said Ballmer knowingly sought to help Leonard obtain income opportunities outside basketball.
About this summary

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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