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Discipline: The Clippers get wallopedExactly one year ago, Pablo Torre of “Pablo Torre Finds Out” released an initial investigation into possible salary-cap circumvention by the Clippers on behalf of star player Kawhi Leonard. After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday. The league’s investigation found that the Clippers did, indeed, work around the salary cap to pay Leonard millions more than what was in his contract, via four separate endorsement deals. It also found that Leonard and his camp pressured the Clippers to do so. The top-line penalties:
$30 million fine for the Clippers, the largest in league history
One-year ban for Clippers owner Steve Ballmer
Forfeit of five straight first-round picks from 2029 through 2033
