A franchise in limbo: The Los Angeles Clippers face life after a Steve Ballmer ban and 5 lost picks
Inglewood, California (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers, in mourning their losses, committed to move forward on Monday, nearly a month after the NBA imposed the strictest penalties ever against a team. A year-long probe into salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard led to the ban of owner Steve Ballmer for a year, a $30 million fine, forfeiture of five first-round draft picks, and the suspension of Lawrence Frank, the team's president of basketball operations, for six months.
The Clippers will be led by coach Tyronn Lue and a roster of veterans and youngsters without their star players, including Leonard, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors and won an NBA title in 2019. The team's general manager, Trent Redden, apologized to fans for their silence since the penalties were announced on September 2, but noted that they have been listening to the concerns and emotions of their fan base.
Redden assured that the team will fulfill its promises to rebuild trust and continue to fight through this challenging time.
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