{"id":878304,"date":"2026-09-03T07:08:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/878304\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T07:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:08:13","slug":"la-clippers-given-25-year-old-example-to-warn-against-fighting-nba-over-kawhi-leonard-punishment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/878304\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Clippers given 25-year-old example to warn against fighting NBA over Kawhi Leonard punishment"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The LA Clippers are not going to take the NBA\u2019s severe punishment for their signing of Kawhi Leonard, but they\u2019ve been told that it is a bad idea.<\/p>\n

The Clippers were fined $30 million and five first-round picks, along with suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer and GM Lawrence Frank.<\/p>\n

However, Ballmer and the Clippers put out a lengthy statement promising to fight this decision to get the punishment reduced or eliminated entirely.<\/p>\n

\"StevePhoto by Allen Berezovsky\/Getty ImagesBrian Windhorst explains why LA Clippers could make things worse by fighting NBA decision<\/p>\n

Speaking on SportsCenter, ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst explained why the LA Clippers shouldn\u2019t try to push back on the NBA\u2019s punishment.<\/p>\n

He pointed to the example of the Minnesota Timberwolves\u2019 dealings with Joe Smith and how, after receiving a similar penalty, the franchise had their punishment reduced thanks to cooperation<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they are indeed allowed to trade Kawhi Leonard, and there\u2019s nothing in today\u2019s ruling that would prevent them from doing so, they can instantaneously recruit 2 first-round draft picks for him.<\/p>\n

Brian Windhorst:<\/p>\n

“If they are indeed allowed to trade Kawhi Leonard, and there’s nothing in today’s ruling that would prevent them from doing so, they can instantaneously recruit 2 first round draft picks for him. They can get value for him. The second thing is, this is often\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/HDFsxM8YdC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) September 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

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\u201cThey can get value for him. The second thing is, this has often been compared to what happened with the Minnesota Timberwolves with Joe Smith back in 2000\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Timberwolves were hit with a five first-round pick penalty just like this. But in that case, the Timberwolves cooperated. And a year later they were given back a first-round pick, and two years later they were given back another first-round pick. Their eventual penalty was only three first-round picks.<\/p>\n

MORE STEVE BALLMER STORIES<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this report, the investigators indicate that they are not done and that there could be more. And so I know that the Clippers are very angry, and they want to defend themselves, and Steve Ballmer wants to be exonerated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this is a harsh penalty that could be worse and could potentially get better over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Which NBA star are you most excited to see on a new team this season? \ud83d\udc40 <\/p>\n

*Kawhi Leonard’s Raptors return remains up in the air<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Similar to Leonard, Joe Smith and the Timberwolves were accused of circumventing the salary cap when he signed as a free agent ahead of the 1999-2000 season.<\/p>\n

As a result of this, the Timberwolves were stripped of their first-round picks from 2001 to 2005. However, due to their cooperation with the NBA at the behest of then-commissioner David Stern, the Timberwolves were granted their 2003 and 2005 first-round picks back.<\/p>\n

There could be a scenario where the Clippers, if they do cooperate with Adam Silver and the NBA, could have their penalty reduced in the years to come.<\/p>\n

However, trying to push back against Silver after he handed one of the strictest and most severe punishments of his tenure as president could hurt the franchise in the long run.<\/p>\n

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