Clippers Hit Hard by NBA Penalties | Fresno News

The NBA just dropped a blockbuster penalty on the LA Clippers for cap circumvention, exposing a scheme that funneled cash to Kawhi Leonard between 2020 and 2022. After a year-long investigation, the league found four violations, handing down brutal consequences: five future first-round picks gone, a $30 million fine, and suspensions for key execs — including Steve Ballmer and Gillian Zucker (one year) and Lawrence Frank (six months). Kawhi must repay $700K, and his former agent is banned for five years. Evidence, including internal notes, shows the team actively engineered off-contract deals to skirt salary cap rules. The commissioner went maximum to send a clear message — this isn’t just punishment, it’s a warning to every franchise. The Clippers now face a rebuild with their future draft capital erased. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/f6ba2abaf83708af