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NBA fines Clippers $30 million as Leonard trade closes
Livemint··15 Sept
The Clippers and Raptors completed the Kawhi Leonard trade agreed June 30 after a salary-cap investigation. Toronto gets Leonard, who won the 2019 title with the franchise. Los Angeles receives Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2031 and 2033 unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and second-rounders in 2030 and 2033. The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million and Leonard $700,000.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Raptors fans see Leonard return for the 2025-26 season on a three-year, $149 million deal signed in 2024.
- Toronto paused the deal in July until the league finished its circumvention probe.
- Clippers forfeited first-round picks from 2029 through 2033 and suspended executives including Steve Ballmer for one year.
What's Happening
- The league published findings on September 2.
- Investigators cited off-court income links between Leonard and four companies doing Clippers business.
- Commissioner Adam Silver said penalties defend the collectively bargained compensation system.
Cap investigation fallout
- Lawrence Frank received a six-month unpaid suspension.
- Dennis Robertson, Leonard's uncle, faces a five-year ban from NBA-related business.
- Leonard averaged 27.9 points in 2025-26, his highest scoring season at age 35.
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