Clippers stripped of 5 first round draft picks in NBA cap circumvention punishment

At least the Clippers don’t have to kick in Shai with the 5 first rounders this time. What once seemed like a necessary overpay for Paul George in order to sign Kawhi Leonard has turned into what might be the worst transaction in NBA history.
I know all Clippers fans were shooting the messenger Pablo Torre because they didn’t like the message (truth) and mocked him when ESPN erroneously said the Clips were gonna be cleared. Well have any of the 59 of them given a mea culpa yet now that he was proven right? I expect Balmer to take this to court and the NBA to eventually give two first round picks back, similar to the Joe Smith case.

The Celtics own the Clippers 2028 first rounder. This news while certainly not bad for Boston might not necessarily alter the value of the pick much. Without first round picks there is nop reason for L.A. to bottom out to rebuild, so they will likely try to win as many games as they can the next few years before starting a tear down closer to when their draft restrictions expire.

That said, while money talks, NBA free agents will be less likely to want to join the Clippers next offseason considering their expected stunted future. If Clippers had something of value, Boston could ironically offer the Clippers their 2028 first rounder back to them, but none of their veteran players are worth that pick.

The one young piece who could be of interest to Boston for the pick, Keaton Wagler, Los Angeles wouldn't trade since right now he represents their lone hope for a future star. Could they trade him in a year or during the 2027-28 season? Sure, but only if he wasn't performing up to his draft position and then why would Brad Stevens cough up the 2028 Clippers first rounder for him then?

Hard to believe Kawhi Leonard was oblivious to what was going on. The NBA Players Association were prepared to fight any significant punishment tooth and nail, since they actually like the idea of players getting paid extra outside the cap. A $700,000 fine while a ton of money to us, amounts to Leonard more or less not getting paid for one lone game he load manages and sits out this coming season in Toronto.

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