NBA Strips Clippers of Five First-Round Picks, Fines Ballmer $30M in Kawhi Leonard Cap Investigation

The NBA has delivered a significant penalty to the Los Angeles Clippers, stripping the franchise of five consecutive first-round draft picks (2029-2033) and fining owner Steve Ballmer $30 million. This decision comes after an investigation into cap circumvention related to Kawhi Leonard's deal. Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution but avoided suspension.