LA Clipped

The NBA dunked its largest-ever team punishment on Wednesday.

A nearly year-long investigation found that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap, funneling millions to star Kawhi Leonard in what Commissioner Silver called “flagrant” rulebreaking.

After signing in 2019, Leonard’s uncle-turned-manager, Uncle Dennis, demanded LAC cover ~$10M/year in off-court income for his nephew. The team assisted, covering personal expenses Leonard never repaid and brokering deals with four companies, including a $28M no-show contract with Aspiration, a now-bankrupt financial-and-sustainability company.

The punishment includes forfeiting five first-round draft picks (2029-2033), a record $30M fine, a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer, and a $700K fine for Leonard, whose trade to the Raptors is now unpaused, freeing him to take his (talon)ts to Toronto.

The Clippers called the probe a “witch hunt,” vowing to fight.

__

Verse to consider when examining your own life for the temptation to cut corners, fudge numbers, or veer from the truth: “The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.”
Proverbs 10:9 (CSB) (read full passage)