​LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 25: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on October 25, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers defends against RJ Barrett #9 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 24: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after defeating the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on April 24, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) GettyThe Los Angeles Clippers are facing one of the biggest setbacks in franchise history after the NBA handed down severe penalties following its investigation into the team’s dealings involving Kawhi Leonard.The punishment has already changed the conversation around the Clippers, but Stephen A. Smith’s explosive reaction has added another layer to an increasingly damaging situation for the organization.NBA Hands Clippers One of Its Harshest PunishmentsGettyStephen A. Smith Says Clippers’ Kawhi Gamble Wasn’t Worth It
The NBA announced on September 2 that its independent investigation found a “pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations” involving the Clippers and Leonard.According to the league, Los Angeles helped facilitate off-court income opportunities for Leonard through companies that did business with the team, including Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. The NBA also found that personal expenses were paid on behalf of Leonard and his representatives.The consequences were enormous. The Clippers were stripped of five first-round draft picks, covering the 2029 through 2033 drafts, and fined $30 million. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, while basketball operations president Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension and business operations president Gillian Zucker was suspended for one year.Leonard himself was fined $700,000, while his former business manager Dennis Robertson received a five-year ban from NBA-related business dealings.BREAKING: The NBA has ruled on the Los Angeles Clippers in for salary cap circumvention investigations on Kawh