The NBA just dropped the hammer on the Los Angeles Clippers, docking the franchise a mind-blowing five first-round picks. We’re talking 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 gone. This massive penalty comes after an independent investigation uncovered a “pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations” tied directly to off-the-books endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard. Ouch.
The “Historic Moment” That Landed Them Here
Back on July 10, 2019, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was hyped, stating it was “a historic moment for our organization and our fans” when they signed marquee free-agent Kawhi Leonard. And why wouldn’t he be? Leonard was a two-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, a five-time All-Defensive teamer, and a former Defensive Player of the Year. Thirty minutes later, they doubled down, announcing a trade for Paul George, who was also a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, five-time All-Defensive teamer, and fresh off a third-place finish in MVP voting. Frank touted their “aggressive course to build a championship contender,” declaring, “When you have the opportunity to acquire a contributor of his caliber, you do what it takes to bring him home.” Turns out, “you do what it takes” had some pretty wild implications.
The Cost of “Aggressive” Just Hit Hard
That “aggressive course” the Clippers charted? Yeah, we just learned the real price. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver didn’t hold back after the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz finished their independent investigation. Their findings were explosive: a “pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations” for “initiating, facilitating and inducing multiple off-the-books, off-court endorsement deals for Leonard with team sponsors.” Silver blew a hole straight through the franchise, docking them those five first-round picks. This staggering figure lines up with the last time the NBA dealt with salary-cap circumvention this drastic, back in 2000. That’s when the Minnesota Timberwolves were found to have made “no fewer than five undisclosed contracts” with power forward Joe Smith. The league eventually returned the Wolves’ 2003 and 2005 picks after owner Glen Taylor and general manager Kevin McHale accepted their suspensions, but that’s a huge gamble for the Clippers’ future.
This is a brutal, brutal blow. Ballmer and Frank plotted an “aggressive course” for a championship, but right now, it looks like it just cost them a decade of draft capital. What a mess.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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