The NBA suspended Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year, fined the franchise $30 million, and stripped five first-round picks (2029–2033) after a salary-cap circumvention probe involving Kawhi Leonard.
What changed
On Sept. 2 the NBA announced penalties from an independent Wachtell Lipton probe: Ballmer suspended one year from all league and team activities; Clippers fined $30 million and forfeiting 2029–2033 first-round picks; Gillian Zucker suspended one year without pay; Lawrence Frank six months without pay; Kawhi Leonard ordered to pay $700,000; five years of league monitoring.
Why it matters
This is one of the heaviest salary-cap sanctions in NBA history, hitting the owner, the draft cupboard, and the franchise’s front office in one official ruling.
What to watch next
Whether the Clippers’ court challenge moves, and how the five-year monitoring program constrains roster moves.
Source and confidence
Confirmed — NBA.com
Tuned watches the NBA Channel. This Moment changed its current state.
Source date: September 3, 2026
Confirmed = official announcement or structured data. Reported = credible source, not yet confirmed.
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