Clippers fined $30m and owner suspended after Leonard scandal

Kawhi Leonard: Los Angeles Clippers fined $30m and stripped of five first-round picks after Leonard salary cap scandal Los Angeles Clipper owner Steve Ballmer is suspended for one year while the team are docked five first-round picks following NBA investigation into Kawhi Leonard salary cap scandal. Wednesday 2 September 2026 22:21, UK The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $30m and star player Kawhi Leonard was hit with a $700,000 penalty by the NBA on Wednesday for violating salary cap circumvention rules. The league came down hard on the organisation after a nearly year-long investigation. Owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been suspended without pay for six months and president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year, all for their involvement. The Clippers were also stripped of five first-round draft picks. The Clippers had said multiple times that they had done nothing wrong and expected to be exonerated. - Los Angeles Lakers to be sold in record-breaking £9bn deal - LeBron James faces the New York Knicks on NBA opening night - Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract - Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want More to follow...