Clippers hit with major sanctions: five future first-round picks forfeited and $30M fine in salary-cap case

The NBA handed the Los Angeles Clippers severe penalties for salary-cap circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard’s 2022 signing, including forfeiture of five future first-round picks (2029–2033), a $30 million fine, and suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer (one year), president Gillian Zucker (one year without pay), and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank (six months); Leonard must pay $700,000. The Clippers plan to challenge the findings, which were investigated by Wachtell Lipton.