The National Basketball Association has penalized the Los Angeles Clippers with a $30 million fine and the loss of five first-round draft picks after determining the team violated salary cap rules in dealings involving forward Kawhi Leonard.
Owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension, while basketball operations president Lawrence Frank was barred from league activities for six months and business operations president Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year, according to LAist.
Leonard was assessed a $700,000 fine. The league found that he and his former business manager pressured the team to secure outside income opportunities and failed to repay certain personal expenses covered by the club.
The investigation, conducted by an outside law firm over nearly a year, centered on a $28 million endorsement agreement between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, a firm that later entered bankruptcy proceedings.
The Clippers organization rejected the findings and stated it would pursue arbitration to overturn the penalties, claiming the league’s private communications differed from its public announcement.
In a separate statement, Leonard said he accepted responsibility for lapses by people in his circle and expressed regret for the distraction caused to fans and family. He also noted he entered his Clippers contract and related agreements in good faith without intent to circumvent league rules.
Leonard’s proposed trade to the Toronto Raptors remains on hold. The player indicated he is eager to return to the team where he previously won a championship.
This report is based on coverage by LAist: https://laist.com/news/nba-fines-clippers-penalizes-kawhi-leonard-cap-circumvention-case