Realgm iconRealgmSep 2, 2026 ~1 min source read

NBA Strips Clippers Of Five First-Round Picks, Steve Ballmer Suspended For Cap Violations

Leonard have been penalized for violating salary cap circumvention rules outlined in the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Basketball Players Association. The determination followed an independent investigation conducted by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

NBA Strips Clippers Of Five First-Round Picks, Steve Ballmer Suspended For Cap Violations

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Leonard have been penalized for violating salary cap circumvention rules outlined in the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Basketball Players Association.

The determination followed an independent investigation conducted by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

The investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, which the league identified as a prior offender of salary cap circumvention rules.

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The useful part

Leonard have been penalized for violating salary cap circumvention rules outlined in the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Basketball Players Association. The determination followed an independent investigation conducted by law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. The investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, which the league identified as a prior offender of salary cap circumvention rules.

How it works

  • The Clippers will forfeit five first-round draft picks, one each in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA Drafts, and the team was fined $30 million.
  • The five first round picks is to the five first rounds plus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that the Clippers trade...

Details worth keeping

Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. Leonard, through Robertson's conduct on his behalf, violated circumvention rules by pressuring the Clippers to help him obtain off-court income opportunities, successfully securing those opportunities, and failing to reimburse the Clippers for personal expenses paid on his behalf. Based on the findings, the NBA imposed a series of penalties.

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