The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $30 million and stripped five first-round draft picks (2029–2033) after an 11-month investigation found the team circumvented the salary cap via "no-show" endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard. Owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league activities for one year. Leonard was fined $700,000 but avoids suspension; his uncle, Dennis Robertson, is banned from NBA business for five years.

The NBA and NBPA agreed the penalties are final and binding, with no appeal. Leonard denied wrongdoing, accepting responsibility for "lapses in judgment" by his inner circle. The Clippers rejected the findings as a "heavily biased investigation" and vowed to "vigorously challenge" the decision.

The probe, led by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, uncovered deals with Aspiration, Daktronics, Boingo Wireless, and Lockton Insurance. Clippers executives Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank also face suspensions.