NBA suspends Clippers owner and fines team in salary-cap circumvention case involving Kawhi Leonard
The league imposed a one-year suspension on owner Steve Ballmer, a six-month ban on president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, a one-year suspension on business president Gillian Zucker, a $30 million fine and loss of five first-round picks on the Clippers, and a $700 000 penalty on Kawhi Leonard for violating salary-cap rules.
The NBA announced Wednesday that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer will be suspended for one year and the franchise must forfeit five first-round draft picks and pay a $30 million fine after a league investigation found violations of salary-cap circumvention rules tied to Kawhi Leonard. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month ban, and business president Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year. Leonard was assessed a $700 000 penalty.
The investigation, conducted by an external law firm, began in September 2025 following a report that a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and the bankrupt Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC might breach league rules. The league concluded that Leonard, through his former business manager and uncle Dennis Robertson, pressured the Clippers to facilitate off-court income opportunities and failed to reimburse the team for related personal expenses.
Leonard issued a statement accepting responsibility for “lapses in judgment” within his inner circle and expressed regret for the distraction caused to fans and his family. He also said he entered into the contract and related agreements in good faith and was unaware of any intent to circumvent the salary cap.
The Clippers issued a statement rejecting the NBA’s findings, describing the investigation as biased and promising to challenge the penalties through arbitration. Leonard’s pending trade to the Toronto Raptors remains on hold pending the outcome of the league’s actions, though the Raptors have reiterated their interest in acquiring him.