A franchise in limbo: The Los Angeles Clippers face life after a Steve Ballmer ban and 5 lost picks

The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a challenging future following the NBA's severe penalties against the franchise. Owner Steve Ballmer has been banned for a year, the team has been fined $30 million, and they will forfeit five first-round draft picks. Additionally, Lawrence Frank, the president of basketball operations, has been suspended for six months.

The team is left without star player Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors, as well as notable players like Paul George, James Harden, and Chris Paul. Coach Tyronn Lue and a roster of veterans and young players are now tasked with picking up the pieces, with interim general manager Trent Redden apologizing to the fan base for the team's silence since the penalties were announced on September 2.

Brief written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.