Clippers Receive Major NBA Penalties Over Alleged Improper Recruitment of Leonard

The NBA officially issued penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and team owner Steve Ballmer because they violated the league's salary cap rules. The investigation found that the Clippers helped Leonard establish business partnerships with four companies — Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance.

Investigators stated that the Clippers encouraged these companies to sign agreements with Leonard by offering opportunities to work with the team, creating a relationship described as mutually beneficial. The investigation also found that the Clippers paid some personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives. Leonard was accused of pressuring the team through his agent Dennis Robertson to help him secure more business opportunities, but he did not later reimburse the team for the personal expenses it had covered.

Ultimately, Leonard was fined $700,000. The Clippers were stripped of their first-round draft picks for five consecutive seasons from 2029 through 2033 and were required to pay a $30 million fine. Ballmer was suspended for one year.

It is worth noting that Leonard is no longer with the Clippers. The team had previously agreed to trade him back to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick, along with multiple future draft picks.