The NBA just brought the hammer down on the Clippers for their “Kawhi salary-cap circumvention shenanigans,” confirming what many of us have suspected for years: the Kawhi Leonard era in L.A. is an all-time disaster, costing them way more than he was ever worth. After a nearly year-long investigation, the league summarized the Clippers’ infractions this week, detailing how the team affirmatively initiated off-court income opportunities between Leonard and four companies doing business with the team: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance. This isn’t just about a star player not performing; it’s about a franchise going to extreme lengths for a player who, frankly, delivered almost nothing.
Nearly $350 Million for Three Playoff Series? That’s Rough.
Let’s talk about the cold, hard cash first. Over the last seven seasons, the Clippers poured nearly $350 million into Kawhi Leonard. What did they get for that insane investment? A grand total of three playoff series wins. You read that right: three. Leonard never even played in a single postseason game past the second round. His time there was riddled with injuries that derailed any chance of a deep run. He missed the entire 2021-22 season after tearing his ACL. Then, in his first postseason back, he lasted just two games in 2023 before tearing his meniscus, kicking off three straight first-round eliminations for the team. He played a pathetic 37 games in the 2024-2025 season. On those facts alone, calling the Leonard signing a bust feels like an understatement.
The Astronomical Cost of the Paul George Package Deal
But wait, there’s more. You can’t talk about Leonard’s cost without bringing up Paul George. He was the “package deal,” acquired at Leonard’s presumed behest, and his cost is a direct function of the Leonard acquisition. The Clippers shelled out almost $200 million for George through 2025. And what did they give up for him? Five first-round picks (one of which became All-NBA player Jalen Williams!), two swaps, and a player who became future back-to-back MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That bounty went to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who then became the 2025 champions. Think about that for a second: the Clippers gutted their future for a championship that the *Thunder* ended up winning with *their* picks. When you combine George’s nearly $200 million with Leonard’s $375 million basketball tab, you’re looking at a nearly $575 million investment for a spectacularly failed era.
What’s Next for the Clippers After This Bombshell?
With Wednesday’s ruling, this whole saga might finally be hitting its climax. The Leonard era is, presumably, ending any minute now, with talk of him getting shipped to Toronto in a trade that’s been on hold for two months. What’s at stake for the Clippers now isn’t just their immediate future, but their reputation as a franchise. They’ve paid an astronomical price, both financially and in draft capital, for a failed project that now comes with an NBA penalty for salary-cap circumvention. The dust is still settling on this whole mess, but one thing is clear: the Clippers’ gamble on Kawhi Leonard will go down as one of the worst transactions in NBA history, maybe even *the* worst.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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