10 First-Round Picks for One Western Conference Finals Appearance: Skip Calls Clippers Investment the Worst in History

The Clippers were heavily punished by the NBA for improper recruitment, and ESPN personality Skip directly criticized the team today, saying Ballmer's investment was arguably the worst in history.

According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, after a year-long investigation, the NBA issued its final ruling on the Clippers' alleged improper recruitment related to Leonard: the Clippers were stripped of five first-round draft picks and fined $30 million, while also being banned from making selections. Clippers general manager Lawrence Frank and head coach Tyronn Lue were also fined separately.

Skip commented today: “Kawhi Leonard cost the Clippers as many as 10 first-round picks, but in the six seasons since he joined, the team has only reached one Western Conference semifinal — and that was during the bubble season, when the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead and suffered a stunning comeback loss to the Nuggets. This draft-pick penalty is arguably the worst investment in NBA history. They now face a year-long draft ban, and Leonard will also miss many games.”

The price of 10 first-round picks produced a record of reaching the Western Conference semifinals just once in six years. Skip's criticism directly targets the Clippers' management approach over the years: committing all future assets for one star while repeatedly falling short in the playoffs. This improper recruitment penalty has further worsened the team's future — they have not only lost draft picks but also face a one-year draft ban.

For the Clippers, this deal does not look worthwhile no matter how the numbers are calculated. Ballmer's investment brought not a championship, but a penalty and a long rebuilding period. Leonard's injury issues combined with the loss of draft assets mean the Clippers' path ahead could be more difficult than it has been over the past six years.