Los Angeles Clippers followers are little question bracing for what might be a protracted scenario 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 might 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 extra wage off the books are true, then the Clippers might have the ebook thrown at them.
There’s the Joe Smith scenario involving the Minnesota Timberwolves again within the day. But when confirmed, this is able to be falling away a lot worse. That’s what scares the Clippers and their followers.
What’s 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 most probably eventualities each contain Los Angeles getting completely pummeled by the league.
One state of affairs would see the Clippers stripped of their 2026 and 2028 decide swaps in addition to their 2030, 2031, and 2032 first-round picks. That can depart them with no first-round decide 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 seemingly. Nonetheless, if the Clippers are left with no first for the higher a part of a decade and immediately haven’t got their finest participant, then they’d be thrust into a tricky scenario.
The Los Angeles Clippers are bracing for a Leonard punishment
The Clippers have constructed a surprisingly strong roster round Leonard regardless of not having many belongings following the Paul George commerce that introduced him to Los Angeles. However, if Leonard immediately 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 area within the summers of 2027 and 2028. In spite of everything, potential free agent targets may be turned off by the aftereffects of the Leonard scandal.
For the Clippers’ sake, they’re most likely quietly hoping for minimal punishment, if any, however the odds seem like stacked in opposition to them heading into the season.
