3 Steps For The Clippers To Recover And Survive NBA’s Brutal Penalties

The Los Angeles Clippers are dealing with a severe penalty from the NBA related to their involvement in illegal sponsorship deals with Kawhi Leonard. As a result, they will have to surrender five first-round picks, $30 million, and face a year-long suspension for their owner, Steve Ballmer, and other executives. This punishment is considered the harshest ever imposed by the NBA, as per Adam Silver.

The loss of crucial draft picks will make it challenging for the Clippers to secure trades and find top talent through the draft. Additionally, the team's reputation has suffered, making it difficult to attract players in free agency. Despite the grim outlook, there is a potential path to recovery if the Clippers implement the following three steps:

1. Acquire Future Picks from the Raptors: The Clippers can potentially regain some draft capital by trading Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors. The current deal sees Leonard returning to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap. Although the trade was initially called off due to a cap circumvention investigation, it can now be finalized as Leonard's involvement has been cleared.

The 2031 and 2033 first-round picks will provide the Clippers with essential draft capital, enabling them to add and develop young talent who can contribute to the team's future success.

2. Cooperate with the NBA for a Lighter Penalty: The Clippers have been vigorously contesting the NBA's decision, but they may find it beneficial to cooperate with the league and accept the penalties. By demonstrating full accountability and working with the NBA, the Clippers could potentially reduce the severity of their punishment.

The Timberwolves received a similar penalty in 2000 for their dealings with Joe Smith, and they managed to secure a lighter penalty by cooperating fully with the league. If the Clippers can adopt a more humble approach and show genuine remorse for their actions, they may be able to recover a few more draft picks, which would significantly improve their prospects for rebuilding the team.

3. Replace Front Office Staff: The credibility of the Clippers has been severely damaged by the cap circumvention scandal, necessitating a fresh start for the organization. With Kawhi Leonard and Dennis Robertson already out of the picture, the most crucial step for the Clippers is to replace the front office personnel responsible for the illegal acts.

Specifically, team Presidents Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank need to be replaced. Both Zucker and Frank received one-year and six-month suspensions from the NBA, but many feel their penalties are insufficient. By installing new leadership, the Clippers can send a clear message that they are starting anew and distancing themselves from their past misdeeds.

This fresh start will be essential for the team's long-term success as they work to rebuild their reputation and regain the trust of players and fans alike.