Clippers Lose Five First-Round Picks and Face Heavy Penalties in NBA Salary Cap Ruling

The NBA penalized the Los Angeles Clippers for repeated salary cap violations, stripping them of first-round picks in five consecutive drafts from 2029 through 2033. The team also received a $30 million fine, while owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from league activities for one year. Two team executives were suspended without pay, and the franchise will be monitored for five years.

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The forfeited selections include two first-round picks originally belonging to Toronto, acquired in the June 30 trade that sent Kawhi Leonard back to his former team. That transaction was frozen while the league investigated. The penalties also include a $30 million fine, a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer, and unpaid suspensions for executives Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker.

The league will oversee a five-year compliance program, with Commissioner Adam Silver citing "flagrant violations" and institutional failures. The Clippers now must build around Darius Garland and rookie Keaton Wagler with a severely depleted draft arsenal, limiting their ability to add young talent through the draft for years.

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