Indianapolis, IN, September 3, 2026 —

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has imposed significant penalties on the Los Angeles Clippers organization for alleged salary cap circumvention. The league announced sanctions including a substantial financial penalty and the forfeiture of multiple future draft picks.

The Clippers will be required to pay a $30 million fine as part of the league’s ruling. In addition to the monetary penalty, the team is set to lose five of its future first-round draft selections. This decision stems from the NBA’s investigation into the team’s financial dealings and adherence to salary cap rules.

Further sanctions extend to key figures within the franchise. Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been suspended for one year. Player Kawhi Leonard has also been penalized, with the league issuing a $700,000 fine to the player.

According to the NBA, the violations are specifically linked to discussions and agreements concerning off-court income opportunities for player Kawhi Leonard. These arrangements were reportedly made in conjunction with the team’s player acquisition and retention strategies, which the league determined constituted a breach of salary cap regulations. The NBA cited these findings as the basis for the severe penalties levied against the team and associated individuals.

Representatives for the Los Angeles Clippers have stated that the team denies the allegations. The organization has indicated its intention to challenge the NBA’s findings and the imposed penalties. Details regarding the specific nature of the off-court income deals and the league’s investigative process beyond what was publicly stated were not provided.


Story summarized from the original created by AP via Scripps News Group on www.wrtv.com, see more information here.

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