Shams: NBA Finally Punishes the Clippers (& Slaps Wrist of Kawhi)

[Donoghus]

This is good

Jeff Stephens
@jffstphns3
?
44m
So in the end Kawhi and PG cost the Clippers SGA plus TEN 1st round picks

[Donoghus]

Gonna go out on a limb here and say that the Clippers are p---ed.

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
?
5m
Statement from the Clippers: 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. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it?s fairness and accuracy. 

For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence. 

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.

[slamtheking]

not enough of a punishment for Kawhi.  should have had his contract nullified and fined for the amount he's already collected OR have the rest of his contract nullified and banned from the league for 2 years.  (I'd go 3 years personally or preferably a lifetime ban to really put an end to this type of garbage)

I think that was trying not to poke the stick to hard at the hornets' nest that is the NBPA while nuking the Clippers on "integrity".

I think that's a hornets nest that has to be kicked though.  either shut it down entirely or work it into the CBA.

Feels like they are making Ballmer, Frank, and Zucker the fall guys.

Pretty ridiculous that Leonard is paying the equivallent of like a $1000 fine for a normal person. You can't tell me he didn't know what was going on as he cashed checks for tens of millions of dollars.

Honestly, very on-brand for Silver. He once again is placating the players and handling them with kiddie gloves in fear of reprucussions.

from Kawhi
Leonard, through his new agent, Harrison Gaines, said he accepted "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."

"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," he said.

The BS is piled high on this one.  No way he didn't know what was going on.  Did he think those millions of dollars in endorsements/business deals for no work were legit?  should still be banned.  throwing others under the bus on this is just obnoxious

[jpotter33]

Pretty ridiculous that Kawhi gets off that easy.

So does LAC get to keep the Indy pick in 2029? Also, does Philly get screwed with their 2029 swap? lol

Edit: Looks like the Pacers pick is the forfeited pick.

https://x.com/derekbodnernba/status/2095257655929348582?s=46

[Who]

They are not allowed punish Kawhi.

The rules are setup in a way where they are only allowed to hold the teams accountable. There are no repercussions for players for violating these rules. The league were not able to punish Kawhi.

They need to change the rules so that in future incidents like this they are actually able to punish the player. Right now they are not.

[Roy H.]

I didn't think Silver had it in him.  That's the right decision.  it seems like a 100% chance that this goes to arbitration, and my guess is that the arbitrator will reduce the penalty, because they always do.

The Kawhi punishment is a bit of a joke, but ultimately it is the teams and the agents that need to play by the financial rules. Still, I wonder if there will be something in the next CBA about stuff like this.

[Ilikesports17]

They are not allowed punish Kawhi.

The rules are setup in a way where they are only allowed to hold the teams accountable. There are no repercussions for players for violating these rules. The league were not able to punish Kawhi.

They need to change the rules so that in future incidents like this they are actually able to punish the player. Right now they are not.

They did fine Kawhi tho. So they have some ability to punish him.

[SparzWizard]

Pretty hardcore...five 1st rounders.

I'd bet if it was a Celtics player they get the hammer. Kawhi is a star so not much punishment for him

[byennie]

It frankly amazes me how anyone doesn't realize that Gates and Ballmer are total scumbags in business, and in many cases, also their personal life. You can respect their accomplishments, rationalize their decisions, whatever... but Steve Ballmer cheating the system for profit... he didn't become a billionaire by following any rules that held him back.

As for Kawhi, just a different case of an immature individual in a privileged position of great power and wealth. Inner circle did it. Right.

[Who]

They are not allowed punish Kawhi.

The rules are setup in a way where they are only allowed to hold the teams accountable. There are no repercussions for players for violating these rules. The league were not able to punish Kawhi.

They need to change the rules so that in future incidents like this they are actually able to punish the player. Right now they are not.

They did fine Kawhi tho. So they have some ability to punish him.

I don't know that it is that ... is Kawhi just being asked to give the money back the money / perks the LA Clippers directly gave to his agent / uncle? That is what reads like to me.

There is no repercussions for the money Kawhi has received. Nothing about any of the money he received from 3rd parties. Nor is there anything about any money his agent may have received from 3rd parties.

Only those direct moneys / perks given by the Clippers organisation to his agent. To pay that money back.

[johnnygreen]

This is good

Jeff Stephens
@jffstphns3
?
44m
So in the end Kawhi and PG cost the Clippers SGA plus TEN 1st round picks

Is Kawhi the single worst free agent acquisition in the history of sports? He wouldn't sign with the Clippers unless they traded for PG, and that cost them SGA and 5 first round picks. He then only plays in about 67% of their regular season games. And now this.

[Phantom255x]

Kawhi departing the Clippers organization:

[keevsnick]

I didn't think Silver had it in him.  That's the right decision.  it seems like a 100% chance that this goes to arbitration, and my guess is that the arbitrator will reduce the penalty, because they always do.

The Kawhi punishment is a bit of a joke, but ultimately it is the teams and the agents that need to play by the financial rules. Still, I wonder if there will be something in the next CBA about stuff like this.

Ya part of the reason for gong all-out with a 5 first round pick penalty is giving some wiggle room for having it reduced to say 3 first round picks after arbitration and still having it bite.