Kawhi Leonard avoids suspension in NBA's salary cap probe, clearing major hurdle for Toronto Raptors return

The NBA has announced severe punishments for the Los Angeles Clippers and star player Kawhi Leonard in an investigation into allegations of violating salary cap rules to circumvent the league's regulations. The penalties are the most severe in NBA history. Here are the details of the league's decision:

1. The Clippers have been stripped of five first-round draft picks, which will affect them from the 2029 to the 2033 Drafts. This means Los Angeles will have only 29 first-round picks in those years instead of the usual 30, impacting one player's selection each year.

2. The team has been fined $30 million.

3. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended from all league and team activities for a year. He is accused of knowingly seeking to help Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, approving a deal that facilitated Aspiration's endorsement agreement with Leonard, and failing to steer his franchise towards adhering to the league's circumvention rules.

4. Clippers president of business operations Gillian Zucker has been suspended for one year without pay. She is primarily and directly responsible for the impermissible endorsement arrangements and provided false and misleading statements to investigators.

5. Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has been suspended for six months without pay. He is involved with the impermissible endorsement arrangements and approved impermissible expenses incurred by Leonard and his family.

6. Leonard himself will pay the league $700,000 in restitution. However, he will not be suspended for his part in the scheme and will be allowed to play for the Toronto Raptors starting with the 2026-27 season.

The league's investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple rule violations by Los Angeles brass. The NBA's statement emphasizes that the CBA's salary cap circumvention rules are a crucial part of the basketball competition overseen by the league for the benefit of teams, players, and fans. Commissioner Adam Silver expressed deep disappointment in the violations and the institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct. The league and the player's union have agreed that the penalties are final and binding.