Clippers face season without Ballmer after NBA's harshest penalties
Owner banned a year, $30M fine, five draft picks forfeited for salary cap violations tied to Kawhi Leonard.
What to know
- The NBA imposed its harshest-ever penalties on the Clippers for salary cap circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard: Ballmer banned one year, $30M fine, five first-round picks forfeited, and president Frank suspended six months.
- Owner Ballmer cannot attend games or be involved in team operations all season; interim GM Trent Redden and coach Tyronn Lue are left to manage a roster stripped of Paul George, James Harden, Chris Paul, and Leonard.
- The team, which had 15 consecutive winning seasons, enters the 2026-27 season with low expectations, relying on veterans Bradley Beal and Brandon Ingram (injured) and youth, but expresses commitment to compete.
“This franchise often has done its best work with its back against the wall. We hope to represent our fans the same way we always had in dark times, by coming out fighting.”
Trent Redden, Interim GM · Yahoo Sports ↗
Steve Ballmer Clippers owner
Lawrence Frank President of basketball operationsTyronn Lue Head coachTrent Redden Interim GM
Kawhi Leonard Former playerBrandon Ingram Forward
How it unfolded 0 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump
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Clippers open training camp in Hawaii with rebuilt roster — The team begins training camp in Hawaii on Tuesday, relying on veterans like Bradley Beal, Kris Dunn, Brook Lopez, Darius Garland, and Brandon Ingram (sidelined with Achilles injury), plus youngsters Gradey Dick, Cam Christie, and rookies. First preseason game is Sunday against Golden State in Honolulu.
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Clippers hold media day, acknowledge losses and commit to move forward — At the team's media day in Inglewood, interim GM Trent Redden apologizes for the organization's silence and says the team has been listening to fan concerns. Coach Tyronn Lue reaffirms his loyalty to Ballmer and commitment to the challenge ahead. Ingram and Redden express resolve to compete despite depleted roster.
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Ballmer makes sole organizational statement on penalties — Owner Steve Ballmer issues a statement, which becomes the only public comment from the organization for weeks. The team remains silent while the fanbase reacts to the penalties.
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NBA announces penalties against Clippers for salary cap violation — The league concludes a year-long investigation into violations involving Kawhi Leonard and issues the harshest set of penalties ever levied against a team: Steve Ballmer banned for one year, the franchise fined $30 million, five first-round draft picks forfeited, and Lawrence Frank suspended for six months.