The NBA issued stiff penalties for the Los Angeles Clippers, team owner Steve Ballmer and their former star forward Kawhi Leonard on Wednesday, Sept. 2, after an 11-month investigation found they violated salary cap circumvention rules.
The league levied fines of $30 million for the Clippers and $700,000 fine for Leonard, who denied any knowledge of wrongdoing but said he will accept the penalties.
Additionally, the NBA suspended Ballmer from all league activities for the next year; team president of business operations Gillian Zucker for one year without pay; and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months without pay.
"I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership
failures that led to this misconduct," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in statement. "The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations."
The Clippers denied the league's findings, calling it "a biased investigation" and said they would challenge the findings and punishments.
Here's what the Clippers' draft pick situation looks like for the foreseeable future.
Clippers first-round picks
The Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks in the coming years.
Which draft picks did Clippers lose?
The Clippers lost their first-round picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033.
Can the Clippers draft in 2027?
Technically, yes, via a pick swap. The Oklahoma City Thunder have the right to swap with the Clippers if LA's draft position, based on record and lottery results, is more favorable than either OKC's slot or Denver's pick, which is top-five protected.
Lorenzo Reyes contributed reporting.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers' punishment forces forfeiture of first-round draft picks. What's left?
