Optim Analyse

What to know about NBA’s punishment of Clippers, Kawhi Leonard

—

by

admin
in

Adam Silver and the NBA dropped the hammer on the LA Clippers, Steve Ballmer and Dennis “Uncle Dennis” Robertson after an investigation into allegations of cap circumvention regarding Kawhi Leonard. As first reported by Pablo Torre on his podcast, “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” the Clippers were accused of using external companies to funnel money to Leonard during parts of his tenure with the franchise, circumventing the salary cap and limits to what the team could pay him.

Advertisement

Nearly one year after launching the investigation, the NBA concluded that the Clippers violated league rules by facilitating endorsement deals for Leonard with four companies (Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance). The NBA levied the biggest team fine in league history ($30 million), suspended multiple Clippers executives, stripped the team of five first-round picks and fined Leonard $700,000.

It harkens back to the late 1990s when the Minnesota Timberwolves were punished for circumventing the salary cap for Joe Smith. The Clippers were hit with about the same level of punishment, although Leonard received a very different punishment than Smith did.

The Clippers released a statement that said they “vehemently reject the NBA’s findings” in the investigation. They also said, “We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.” There is no appeal or arbitration process for the Clippers, according to a source with knowledge of the league’s rules who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the ruling.

For now, here’s what you need to know about each part of the penalty from this investigation:

First-round draft picks stripped in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033

This is the most severe punishment for the Clippers. Stripping a team of first-round picks is the biggest way to affect its future and how it builds a roster, especially in today’s era of first- and second-apron penalties.

{“endpoint”:”https://api-prd-nyt.theathletic.com/graphql”}

This franchise was already living in draft-pick hell because of the Paul George trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. That helped the Clippers land Leonard during 2019 free agency, as they gave up five first-round picks, two pick swaps and two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as part of the trade package. The Clippers still owe one more swap to OKC in the 2027 draft if the Thunder choose to exercise it.

Law Murray laid out the 2022-to-2034 pick scenario for the Clippers:

Yikes! The draft process is expected to change after the 2029 draft, so we don’t quite know what the system will be then. We just know the Clippers currently don’t have any picks until 2034. When the Timberwolves were stripped of five first-round picks for the Smith fiasco, two were eventually returned to them. Perhaps the NBA will do the same with the Clippers.

Advertisement

Clippers fined $30 million

This is the largest team fine in NBA history. This eclipses the $3.5 million fine given to the Wolves back in 2000 for their cap circumvention violation.

To put that in perspective, a crude Google search tells us that Steve Ballmer’s net worth is $152.4 billion. It’s the equivalent of fining someone who makes $100,000 a year almost $20.

Ballmer suspended from all league and team activities for a year

This, after the draft picks, is probably the most devastating thing for Ballmer and the Clippers. Former Wolves owner Glen Taylor was suspended from Dec. 8, 2000, to Aug. 31, 2001. Ballmer is a highly influential and successful team governor, despite this violation and subsequent punishments. He’s built the best basketball arena in the world and is a staple at everything Clippers. Not allowing him to be around the team for one year is definitely going to hit him hard.

President of business operations Gillian Zucker suspended without pay for a year

This also had to do with “false and misleading statements to investigators,” according to the NBA’s ruling. Zucker won’t be allowed to handle the business side for the Clippers for a year, and not getting paid is pretty significant.

President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank suspended for 6 months

Roughly four months after the NBA opened the investigation, Frank was given a four-year extension with the Clippers. Suspending him now allows him to come back to help run the team before the postseason. It will not allow him to work through the trade deadline, though.

Clippers subject to compliance and monitoring program for 5 years

I can’t imagine this is any kind of significant punishment. The Clippers will be under surveillance with the stuff they do for the next five years. It only becomes significant if they attempt to do any circumvention again, according to the findings.

Advertisement

Leonard fined $700,000

Leonard’s deal with Aspiration was around $28 million over four years. He received the majority of that before the company went under. That doesn’t even include the endorsement money with the other three companies. He also still makes over $50 million this season.

The NBA could have voided this final year of his contract, but it chose not to. I would imagine this helped the National Basketball Players Association get on board and not challenge the punishment.

‘Uncle Dennis’ not allowed to conduct business for 5 years

Leonard is Robertson’s only client, as far as we know. Leonard turned 35 this summer. Robertson feels like a perfect fall guy. Uncle Dennis was also “fired” by Leonard earlier this summer; Leonard hired Harrison Gaines to handle future negotiations.

Leonard is still expecting to be traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he’ll try to work out a new contract extension. Otherwise, he’ll be a free agent in 2027.

Analyse

Post not analysed yet. Do the magic.