Clippers Accept NBA Penalties, End Legal Challenge

Steve Ballmer said Sunday night the Los Angeles Clippers will comply with NBA penalties for salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard and will not pursue a legal challenge. The team has paid a $30 million fine and will surrender first-round draft picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033. Ballmer and business operations president Gillian Zucker each face one-year suspensions; basketball operations president Lawrence Frank faces six months. Leonard was fined $700,000 but not suspended, and his contract was not voided. Dennis Robertson is banned from NBA business for five years. The Clippers initially issued a defiant statement and sent a two-page letter on options for challenging the decision. Ballmer later apologized to fans, employees and fellow owners, saying he accepts responsibility as principal owner while still noting disagreements with the report findings. He said team owners should support, not distract. A law firm hired by the NBA found Leonard received $66 million in cash and equity from four companies facilitated by Ballmer and Clippers executives at Robertson's behest. Michael McCann compared an owner's position to joining a country club bound by the league's internal rules. The only other five-pick forfeiture for cap circumvention was the Timberwolves in the Joe Smith case 26 years ago; that team later got two picks back for compliance. The NBA dispute is effectively closed. A Justice Department criminal investigation into the Clippers' dealings and an SEC investigation into Daktronics remain separate and ongoing.