Los Angeles Clippers followers are little doubt bracing for what might be a chronic state of affairs involving Kawhi Leonard. Leonard and the Clippers are at present being investigated by the NBA for alleged wage cap circumvention, and that might carry nicely into the season.
That’s dangerous information for the Clippers, who will likely be left ready for the opposite shoe to drop so far as potential punishments. If the allegations of Leonard receiving as much as $48 million in further wage off the books are true, then the Clippers might have the ebook thrown at them.
There’s the Joe Smith state of affairs involving the Minnesota Timberwolves again within the day. But when confirmed, this might be falling away a lot worse. That’s what scares the Clippers and their followers.
What is going to the NBA’s punishment be for Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers?
Commissioner Adam Silver has a variety of latitude when figuring out punishment within the occasion he finds whereas doing. Nonetheless, two of the more than likely eventualities each contain Los Angeles getting completely pummeled by the league.
One situation would see the Clippers stripped of their 2026 and 2028 choose swaps in addition to their 2030, 2031, and 2032 first-round picks. That can depart them and not using a first-round choose for the following 8 years till 2033.
Additionally, Leonard might have his contract voted on and doubtlessly even be suspended by the league, although that latter punishment appears much less probably. Nonetheless, if the Clippers are left and not using a first for the higher a part of a decade and instantly do not have their greatest participant, then they might be thrust into a troublesome state of affairs.
The Los Angeles Clippers are bracing for a Leonard punishment
The Clippers have constructed a surprisingly stable roster round Leonard regardless of not having many belongings following the Paul George commerce that introduced him to Los Angeles. Nonetheless, if Leonard instantly is not on the Clippers, then they might be in large hassle with them not having an apparent fallback plan.
Moreover, Steve Ballmer might additionally face punishment for his alleged function within the scandal, which might embrace a year-long suspension. These potential punishments would certainly put a damper on the Clippers’ plans of utilizing cap house within the summers of 2027 and 2028. In any case, potential free agent targets is perhaps turned off by the aftereffects of the Leonard scandal.
For the Clippers’ sake, they’re in all probability quietly hoping for minimal punishment, if any, however the odds seem like stacked towards them heading into the season.
