Clippers Hit Hard Kawhi Trade Revisited | Fayetteville News

The NBA just dropped a blockbuster penalty on the LA Clippers — a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer, a $30 million fine, and the loss of five future first-round picks — after uncovering serious salary cap violations tied to how they handled Kawhi Leonard’s arrival. Kawhi himself was fined $700K. The fallout halted a blockbuster trade that would’ve sent him back to Toronto, but now that the league’s investigation is closed, the Raptors are quietly watching as they weigh whether to revive the deal — especially since Kawhi’s averaging nearly 28 points per game and remains elite. The probe began in September 2025 after an endorsement link to a bankrupt company led to a 14-year prison sentence for its co-founder. With the Clippers crippled financially, the door is wide open for Kawhi’s return to Toronto — where he won a title in 2019. 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/279f29f953260879