{
  "id": 5436275,
  "title": "The Clippers just lost 5 first-round draft picks as punishment from the Kawhi Leonard scandal. What do they have left?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/the-clippers-just-lost-5-first-round-draft-picks-as-punishment-from",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T23:06:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/the-clippers-just-lost-5-first-round-draft-picks-as-punishment-from-the-kawhi-leonard-scandal-what-do-they-have-left-230659404.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The NBA's recent decision to strip the Los Angeles Clippers of five future first-round draft picks for violating salary cap rules in connection with the Kawhi Leonard trade scandal has significantly impacted the team's roster-building capabilities. With the fine of $30 million seemingly being the most burdensome aspect of the punishment, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer can handle the financial hit. However, losing half a decade's worth of draft picks presents a substantial challenge, as the Clippers now have fewer resources to shape their roster in the long term.\n\nThe five first-round draft picks taken from the Clippers will cover the five drafts from 2029 to 2033. In 2029, the Clippers will retain their own pick, and the Pacers pick resulting from the Ivica Zubac trade will be transferred to them as well. The NBA has taken the Pacers' pick out of Indiana's possession, but it does not negate the impact on the Clippers' draft assets. The most significant aspect of the punishment is that the Clippers will no longer have access to a substantial portion of their draft capital, as the five picks are spread over the 2029, 2031, and 2033 drafts.\n\nDespite the harsh punishment, the Clippers are not completely devoid of assets. If the trade to send Leonard to the Toronto Raptors is completed, they will acquire the Raptors' 2031 and 2033 first-round picks in addition to a 2027 pick swap. This compensation somewhat mitigates the loss of the first-round picks. However, the Clippers would have to engage in pick swaps with the Thunder and 76ers in 2027 and 2029, respectively, which might not be ideal for their draft planning. Nevertheless, the new lottery reforms discourage teams from completely bottoming out, making these pick swaps less detrimental than they could have been.\n\nIn summary, the NBA's punishment of the Clippers has left them with significantly fewer roster-shaping tools, but the team still possesses some assets to work with. The acquisition of the Raptors' 2031 and 2033 first-round picks upon Leonard's trade to Toronto will help offset some of the losses, but the Clippers will have to navigate pick swaps with other teams in 2027 and 2029. As the league strives to maintain a competitive balance and prevent teams from circumventing salary cap rules, the loss of draft capital serves as a valuable deterrent for teams tempted to pursue such shortcuts.",
  "summary": "The Clippers now have decidedly fewer roster-shaping tools when they appeared ready to a take longer-term approach and build through the draft.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "He threatened Clippers execs. Ballmer signed off in …",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/he-threatened-clippers-execs-ballmer-signed-off-in",
        "published": "2026-09-02T22:41:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Steve Ballmer & Clippers Vow To Fight Historic NBA Punishment, Claim Investigation Was “Heavily Biased”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/steve-ballmer-clippers-vow-to-fight-historic-nba-punishment-claim",
        "published": "2026-09-02T23:36:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "NBA hits Clippers and Steve Ballmer with historic punishments in cap circumvention case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/nba-hits-clippers-and-steve-ballmer-with-historic-punishments-in-cap",
        "published": "2026-09-02T23:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "NBA awaits Raptors, Clippers to submit Kawhi trade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/nba-awaits-raptors-clippers-to-submit-kawhi-trade",
        "published": "2026-09-03T15:07:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "Steve Ballmer got suspended by the NBA because of a podcast and a jumbotron corruption scandal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/steve-ballmer-got-suspended-by-the-nba-because-of-a-podcast-and-a",
        "published": "2026-09-03T23:37:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}