Janis Carr

The NBA ruled Wednesday that the Clippers circumvented the league’s salary-cap rules involving Kawhi Leonard, left, resulting in the team forfeiting five first-round draft picks, being fined $30 million and owner Steve Ballmer being suspended for a year from all leaguer and team activities. (Photos by Getty Images)

NBA penalizes the Los Angeles Clippers with 5 1st-round draft picks, $30M fine in Kawhi Leonard probe

September 2, 2026 at 4:36 p.m.

The NBA came down hard on the Los Angeles Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard on Wednesday for circumventing salary-cap rules in the All-Star’s endorsement deals with team sponsors.

Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli makes a move against Purdue center Oscar Cluff during the Big Ten Tournament on March, 12, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

NBA draft: Los Angeles Clippers pick Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli at No. 55

June 24, 2026 at 11:23 p.m.

Nick Martinelli was a two-time All-Big Ten second-team selection and a two-time Big Ten scoring champion in his three years with Northwestern.

Keaton Wagler speaks to the media after the Clippers drafted him with the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Barclays Center in New York. (Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)

NBA draft: Illinois’ Keaton Wagler says he’ll bring a ‘chip on his shoulder’ to Los Angeles Clippers

June 24, 2026 at 3:09 p.m.

A less heralded recruit out of high school, Keaton Wagler evolved into one of the nation's best shooters while leading the Illini to the Final Four for the first time...

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard speaks during the team’s preseason media day on Monday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard says allegations of no-show deal are not accurate

September 29, 2025 at 7:10 p.m.

Kawhi Leonard says he didn’t receive all of the money he was owed from a company he had an endorsement deal with in a business relationship that is under investigation...

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