NBA Strips Clippers of Five First-Round Picks, Suspends Steve Ballmer
An independent investigation found a pattern of salary cap circumvention violations involving the franchise and Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA has issued sweeping sanctions against the Los Angeles Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer, and forward Kawhi Leonard for breaching salary cap circumvention rules.
According to RealGM Wiretap, the league is stripping the franchise of five first-round draft picks and suspending Ballmer following an independent investigation into the team's conduct.
The probe, carried out by the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, uncovered a pattern of misconduct alongside multiple significant violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiated between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association.
Reported by: RealGM Wiretap