The NBA on Tuesday walloped the Los Angeles Clippers with a record $30 million fine, stripped the team of five first-round draft picks and banned owner Steve Ballmer for a year after a probe uncovered major salary cap violations involving star Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers, who said they plan to fight the punishments, will forfeit a first-round NBA Draft pick every year 2029-2033 after having been found to have aided Leonard in evading salary cap rules in deals with team corporate sponsors when he signed in 2022.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/enzo-fernandez-reacts-after-joining-built-for-success-manchester-city-in-record-deal-1788337166040">Enzo Fernandez reacts after joining 'built for success' City in record deal</a>Clippers owner Ballmer was banned from all league and team activities for one year, president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, while Leonard was fined $700,000.The $30 million fine is comfortably the largest ever imposed on a team by the NBA, eclipsing the previous largest penalty of $3.5 million against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2000 for breaching salary cap rules."I'm deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers' institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said."The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations."The Clippers, responding in a statement, said the probe was biased to fit what the team called a "predetermined narrative" and vowed to challenge the penalties."We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence," a club statement said.The Clippers said feedback it had received directly from the NBA "differs from what it announced today publicly.""For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence," the statement said."We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process."The Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to Toronto in July but the Raptors said they would await the result of the investigation before finalizing the deal."As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate," Leonard said in a statement.The investigation was into allegations the Clippers compensated Leonard $28 million through an endorsement deal with now-bankrupt Aspiration.It found what the NBA called "a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules."Law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen &amp; Katz found the Clippers initiated and facilitated sponsorship income deals between Leonard and four team corporate sponsors -- Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance.The probe found the club induced companies to enter into agreements with Leonard by offering them business, also paid personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives, and failed to report improper solicitations for income opportunities by Leonard's then-business manager, Dennis Robertson.Leonard, through Robertson, violated salary cap rules by obtaining improper off-court income, pressuring the Clippers to assist him in getting those opportunities and failing to reimburse the Clippers for expenses.Robertson was banned from engaging with NBA teams on behalf of any player, employee or other NBA or team personnel for five years.<h2>'No knowledge'</h2>Leonard accepted responsibility for actions by his representatives but said he had no clue salary cap violations were involved."Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family," Leonard said in a statement."I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap."The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed the penalties are final and binding to all parties but the league said it will "consider further action as appropriate."

Clippers owner Ballmer was banned from all league and team activities for one year, president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, while Leonard was fined $700,000.

The NBA on Tuesday walloped the Los Angeles Clippers with a record $30 million fine, stripped the team of five first-round draft picks and banned owner Steve Ballmer for a year after a probe uncovered major salary cap violations involving star Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers, who said they plan to fight the punishments, will forfeit a first-round NBA Draft pick every year 2029-2033 after having been found to have aided Leonard in evading salary cap rules in deals with team corporate sponsors when he signed in 2022. Also Read - Enzo Fernandez reacts after joining 'built for success' City in record deal Clippers owner Ballmer was banned from all league and team activities for one year, president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, while Leonard was fined $700,000. The $30 million fine is comfortably the largest ever imposed on a team by the NBA, eclipsing the previous largest penalty of $3.5 million against the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2000 for breaching salary cap rules. "I'm deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers' institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations." The Clippers, responding in a statement, said the probe was biased to fit what the team called a "predetermined narrative" and vowed to challenge the penalties. "We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence," a club statement said. The Clippers said feedback it had received directly from the NBA "differs from what it announced today publicly." "For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence," the statement said. "We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process." The Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to Toronto in July but the Raptors said they would await the result of the investigation before finalizing the deal. "As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate," Leonard said in a statement. The investigation was into allegations the Clippers compensated Leonard $28 million through an endorsement deal with now-bankrupt Aspiration. It found what the NBA called "a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules." Law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz found the Clippers initiated and facilitated sponsorship income deals between Leonard and four team corporate sponsors -- Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance. The probe found the club induced companies to enter into agreements with Leonard by offering them business, also paid personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives, and failed to report improper solicitations for income opportunities by Leonard's then-business manager, Dennis Robertson. Leonard, through Robertson, violated salary cap rules by obtaining improper off-court income, pressuring the Clippers to assist him in getting those opportunities and failing to reimburse the Clippers for expenses. Robertson was banned from engaging with NBA teams on behalf of any player, employee or other NBA or team personnel for five years. 'No knowledge' Leonard accepted responsibility for actions by his representatives but said he had no clue salary cap violations were involved. "Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family," Leonard said in a statement. "I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap." The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed the penalties are final and binding to all parties but the league said it will "consider further action as appropriate."

Clippers owner Ballmer was banned from all league and team activities for one year, president of business operations Gillian Zucker was suspended for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, while Leonard was fined $700,000.

NBA fines LA Clippers $30 million for salary cap violation involving Kawhi Leonard

Jerry West, an iconic 1960s star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who inspired the NBA logo, died Wednesday (Jun 12) at age 86, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.

Jerry West, an iconic 1960s star guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who inspired the NBA logo, died Wednesday (Jun 12) at age 86, the Los Angeles Clippers announced. West played for the Lakers from 1960 through 1974, winning his only NBA title in 1972, and was co-captain on the 1960 Rome Olympic US basketball gold medal squad. In later years, West served as an executive on several NBA clubs, most recently the Clippers, his knowledge and guidance contributing to eight championship runs, six by the Lakers. "Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86," the Clippers announced. "His wife, Karen, was by his side." The league plans to have a pre-game tribute to West before Wednesday's third game of this year's NBA Finals. With impressive speed and quickness and a deft shooting touch, West was nicknamed "Mr. Clutch" for his skilled shotmaking under pressure. "Jerry West was a basketball genius and a defining figure in our league for more than 60 years," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "He distinguished himself not only as an NBA champion and an All-Star in all 14 of his playing seasons but also as a consummate competitor who embraced the biggest moments." In the 1969 NBA Finals against the arch-rival Boston Celtics, he received the Most Valuable Player award even though the Celtics beat the Lakers for the title. West was an NBA All-Star in all 14 of his league seasons and the NBA scoring champion in 1970. His jersey number, 44, was retired by the Lakers. West was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980 and in October he will be enshrined again as a contributor for his work as an executive, becoming the first person ever inducted as both a player and a contributor. Also read | NBA nears historic $76 billion media rights deal 'An indelible figure' In 1969, the NBA created its current logo, which was the silhouette of West dribbling a basketball, an image inspired by a photograph of West taken during a game. "He was the league's first Finals MVP and made rising to the occasion his signature quality," Silver said. "Jerry's four decades with the Lakers also included a successful stint as a head coach and a remarkable run in the front office that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest executives in sports history. "He helped build eight championship teams during his tenure in the NBA, a legacy of achievement that mirrors his on-court excellence." For his career, West averaged 27.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists a game. West, who coached the Lakers from 1976 through 1979, would capture eight titles as an NBA executive, five with the Lakers in the 1980s "Showtime" era with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He also was an executive for NBA champions with the Lakers in 2000 and Golden State in 2015 and 2017, before leaving to join the Clippers. Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers paid tribute to West for his iconic place in LA sports, posting on social media: "The Dodgers mourn the passing of NBA Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Jerry West, an indelible figure on the Los Angeles sports landscape for more than 60 years." In many ways, he was a lasting symbol of the NBA's early days and many of its most glorious memories. "I valued my friendship with Jerry and the knowledge he shared with me over many years about basketball and life," Silver said. "On behalf of the NBA, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry's wife, Karen, his family and his many friends in the NBA community."

Basketball great Jerry West who inspired NBA logo, dead at 86

Free agent Eric Gordon has signed up with the Phoenix Suns in a two-year, $6 million deal, reported ESPN citing Gordon's agents Aaron Mintz and Steven Heumann of CAA Sports. The deal also includes a player option, ESPN further reported.

Gordon recently became a free agent after the Los Angeles Clippers decided not to opt a $21 million guarantee option in his contract last week. The Clippers are expected to save more than $100 million on it projected tax bill with the move. The 34-year-old became a hot property as soon as he hit the free agency market after being waived off.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-kyrie-irving-to-stay-with-the-mavericks-in-three-year-126-million-deal-610895">Kyrie Irving to stay with the Mavericks in three-year , $126 million deal</a>

Gordon had made his debut with the Clippers in 2008 and stayed with them till 2011 season. He then moved to New Orleans for five years where he played for the Hornets and Pelican before leaving shifting bases to Houston in 2016. Gordon came back to the Clippers ahead of last season before becoming a free agent.

He has played 818 games in his career so far with 627 starts. He averages 16.0 points overall in career. His best season in NBA was during his first stint with the Clippers where he averaged 22.3 points in 2010-11.&nbsp;

With Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Deandre Ayton already in the Suns' roster, Gordon definitely pumps up the team further to be a championship contender.

In other news, Kyrie Irving has also agreed to stay in Dallas after signing a deal with the Mavericks. The three-year deal is worth $126 million.

The 31-year-old guard, who is also and eight-time All-Star, had joined the Mavericks in 2022, following asking for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in the mid of the season. The Mavericks had traded Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick along with a couple of second-round picks to put Irving alongside Luca Doncic.

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Free agent Eric Gordon has signed up with the Phoenix Suns in a two-year, $6 million deal, reported ESPN citing Gordon's agents Aaron Mintz and Steven Heumann of CAA Sports.

Free agent Eric Gordon has signed up with the Phoenix Suns in a two-year, $6 million deal, reported ESPN citing Gordon's agents Aaron Mintz and Steven Heumann of CAA Sports. The deal also includes a player option, ESPN further reported. Gordon recently became a free agent after the Los Angeles Clippers decided not to opt a $21 million guarantee option in his contract last week. The Clippers are expected to save more than $100 million on it projected tax bill with the move. The 34-year-old became a hot property as soon as he hit the free agency market after being waived off. Also Read: Kyrie Irving to stay with the Mavericks in three-year , $126 million deal Gordon had made his debut with the Clippers in 2008 and stayed with them till 2011 season. He then moved to New Orleans for five years where he played for the Hornets and Pelican before leaving shifting bases to Houston in 2016. Gordon came back to the Clippers ahead of last season before becoming a free agent. He has played 818 games in his career so far with 627 starts. He averages 16.0 points overall in career. His best season in NBA was during his first stint with the Clippers where he averaged 22.3 points in 2010-11. With Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Deandre Ayton already in the Suns' roster, Gordon definitely pumps up the team further to be a championship contender. In other news, Kyrie Irving has also agreed to stay in Dallas after signing a deal with the Mavericks. The three-year deal is worth $126 million. The 31-year-old guard, who is also and eight-time All-Star, had joined the Mavericks in 2022, following asking for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in the mid of the season. The Mavericks had traded Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick along with a couple of second-round picks to put Irving alongside Luca Doncic. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NBA: Free agent Eric Gordon signs up with Phoenix Suns in two-year deal

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NBA fines LA Clippers $30 million for salary cap violation involving Kawhi Leonard

Basketball great Jerry West who inspired NBA logo, dead at 86

NBA: Free agent Eric Gordon signs up with Phoenix Suns in two-year deal