Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers continue to generate headlines. The team is in the middle of a bombshell allegation of circumventing the NBA cap during their move to add Leonard during the 2019 free agency. With the NBA investigating the reports, the focus now turns to the penalty Leonard and the Clippers could face if found guilty of breaching the league’s salary cap rules.
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers Likely to Face Stern Punishments If Found Guilty
In a recent report by The Athletic’s John Hollinger, the league’s punishment could prohibit Leonard from re-signing with the team, and Steve Ballmer could face a fine and potential suspension of up to a year.
When discussing Leonard, Hollinger’s points included:
- Require Leonard to return the money he received from Aspiration
- Void Leonard’s contract and prohibit him from re-signing with the Clippers
- Fine Leonard up to $350,000
Hollinger also noted how voiding Leonard’s $149.5 million contract could be a problematic decision for the league. He added that the decision could help the Clippers with Leonard, due to earn $50 million next season.
Potential Penalties for Clippers and Kawhi Leonard in Circumvention Case
—Leonard punishments:
• Void his contract and prohibit him from re-signing with the Clippers
• Require him to return the money he received from Aspiration
• Fine up to $350,000
— Clippers/Personnel… pic.twitter.com/bUt4znnbXG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 16, 2025
When noting the punishments for the Clippers, the insider had the following options:
- Fine the Clippers up to $7.5 million
- Forfeit Clippers draft picks
- Suspend Ballmer or other team personnel for up to a year and fine them up to $1 million each.
As for the punishments for the Clippers, they align with earlier reports from other teams in the league, which do not expect stringent penalties. Some punishments seem like a slap on the wrist. However, the picks will have some significant ramifications on the Clippers’ future roster-building plans.
At the time of writing, there is no official word on when the NBA will release information on the findings. With the season set to start in October, a significant delay can be expected, with speculations that the reveal could happen close to the end of the next season.
The Clippers and Leonard will look to focus on the upcoming season while the league continues its investigation. With new additions in Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez, LA will hope that their star duo, Leonard and James Harden, remain healthy to steer them to their maiden NBA title.
The spotlight will shine brighter on Leonard, whose injuries limited him to just 37 games last season. With the allegations also garnering immense flak on social media, the forward will be under tremendous pressure to deliver. Only time will tell if he can prove his price tag amid all the scrutiny.
