The Clippers were bracing for the NBA's findings from an investigation into Kawhi Leonard's salary cap evasion, but Los Angeles absolutely didn't expect the hammer that the league slammed down on Wednesday.
The penalties were so harsh that even the Pacers were reportedly impacted.
As part of the extensive sanctionslevied against Steve Ballmer and the Clippers, the team will be forced to forfeit five first-round picks starting in 2029. That 2029 pick was acquired by the Clippers in their trade of Ivica Zubac to the Pacers.
According to NBA reporter Zach Lowe, the Pacers shouldn't expect to see that pick returned to them.
Emergency ZL Show coming later tonight, but one detail for now -- sources say that in 2029 the Clippers will be forfeiting the Indiana
Pacers pick obtained via the Zubac trade, but that the pick will not be returned to the Pacers.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) September 2, 2026
Basically, the terms of that finalized trade will stand. The Pacers agreed to send their 2029 first-round pick to the Clippers, so it wouldn't make sense for it to be returned to them.
Instead, the league reportedly plans to vacate that pick and have a 29-pick first round in 2029 — at least for now.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What's happening to the first-round pick that Pacers traded to the Clippers in Zubac deal?
