NBA bans Clippers owner Ballmer for 1 year, strips 5 first-round draft picks

The NBA on Wednesday imposed a series of penalties on the Los Angeles Clippers for violating the league's salary cap rules, including the loss of five first-round draft picks and a $30 million fine.

According to an NBA statement, the Clippers will forfeit their first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 drafts.

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was also suspended from all league and team activities for one year after being found to have knowingly approved improper processes and failed to ensure the franchise complied with league rules.

The NBA said the Clippers will remain under the league's special oversight for five years.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was fined $700,000, while agent Dennis Robertson, who was found to have pressured the club to engage in improper conduct, was banned from the NBA for five years.​​​​​​​