NBA strips Clippers of five first-round picks, suspends owner Steve Ballmer for a year
The gist
The NBA penalized the Clippers over salary-cap circumvention, costing them five first-round picks and a $30 million fine.
The 1-5 team faces the Raptors without Kawhi Leonard, the probe's central star.
How it unfolded
- Sep 2, 2026The NBA announced penalties from the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz investigation: forfeiture of five first-round picks, a $30 million team fine, a $700,000 payment by Kawhi Leonard, and suspensions of Steve Ballmer (one year), Gillian Zucker (one year without pay) and Lawrence Frank (six months without pay).
- Sep 14, 2026Steve Ballmer apologized to fans, employees and fellow NBA owners, saying the team is complying, has paid the fines and is moving forward.
- Oct 27, 2026Toronto announced tests on Kawhi Leonard's left knee showed no acute injury; he was set to undergo treatment and rehabilitation.