‘Focused On What I Can Control’ – Kawhi Leonard Breaks Silence on NBA’s Unprecedented Punishment for Clippers’ Salary-Cap Scandal

Mohamed Rizvi Thu, September 3, 2026 at 12:08 AM UTC

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Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors in the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The year-long investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers finally reached its conclusion on Wednesday, and the punishment was more severe than almost anyone expected. The decision has left the NBA world in shock, and rightfully so.

Kawhi Leonard issued a written statement within minutes of the NBA handing down its ruling.

What Did Kawhi Leonard Say?

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the NBA has ruled on the Clippers’ salary cap circumvention investigation involving Leonard following a year-long investigation.

The league is stripping the franchise of five first-round draft picks, issuing a $30 million fine to the organization, and handing down suspensions for Ballmer, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, and president of business operations Gillian Zucker.

Leonard will have to pay $700,000 in restitution over improper benefits provided by the Clippers involving his uncle and former business representative, Dennis Robertson. Leonard’s contract was not voided, and he was not suspended.

Robertson, whom Leonard fired in June, has been banned from all future business dealings with NBA teams for five years.

Leonard addressed the ruling directly in his Instagram post.

“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family,” Leonard said.

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“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.

“For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.”

The Clippers will reportedly forfeit their first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 drafts, among the harshest penalties ever levied against a franchise for cap circumvention.

The league’s investigation stemmed from reporting last September alleging that Ballmer used a personal $50 million investment in the now-bankrupt startup Aspiration to facilitate a no-show endorsement deal benefiting Leonard, an allegation the owner has repeatedly denied.

MORE:‘This Will Set the Clippers Back Years’ – NBA World Reacts to Kawhi Leonard, LA’s Major Punishment for Salary-Cap Scandal

Despite the scale of the league’s punishment against the organization, Charania’s reporting indicates the trade with the Toronto Raptors is still expected to be completed as planned, closing the book on Leonard’s tenure with the Clippers under a cloud that will now follow the franchise for years to come.

The decision to slap the Clippers with such a heavy punishment will surely set them back years.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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Source: “AOL Sports”