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Clippers Lose 2029-2033 Picks, Pay $30M Fine for Cap Violations

9/3/2026

28 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The NBA penalized the Los Angeles Clippers for salary-cap circumvention.
The league stripped the Clippers of 2029-2033 first-round picks and imposed a $30 million fine.
Owner Steve Ballmer and President Gillian Zucker each received a one-year suspension without pay.
Forward Kawhi Leonard must pay $700,000 restitution; his contract remains intact.
Investigation found the Clippers created income deals with Aspiration, Boingo, Daktronics and Lockton.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the NBA, led by Commissioner David Stern, fined the New York Knicks $5 million and took their first-round draft pick after the team posted a $124 million payroll—well above the salary cap. After the 2011 CBA tightened luxury-tax penalties, the league in 2024 fined the Los Angeles Clippers $30 million and removed their 2029-2033 first-round picks for similar cap-circumvention, showing stricter enforcement.

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Story summary

The NBA penalized the Los Angeles Clippers for salary-cap circumvention.
The league stripped the Clippers of 2029-2033 first-round picks and imposed a $30 million fine.
Owner Steve Ballmer and President Gillian Zucker each received a one-year suspension without pay.
Forward Kawhi Leonard must pay $700,000 restitution; his contract remains intact.
Investigation found the Clippers created income deals with Aspiration, Boingo, Daktronics and Lockton.

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