From CBS Sports · · 2m
Clippers accept NBA penalties, hope for future relief
Los Angeles backs down from fighting salary cap violations, betting on precedent to recover some of their five stripped draft picks.
In brief
Los Angeles backs down from fighting salary cap violations, betting on precedent to recover some of their five stripped draft picks. By accepting punishment without legal fight, the Clippers follow a playbook that once helped the Timberwolves recover draft picks, but their repeat offender status makes that outcome…
Clippers had no way to fight back
The NBA and players union agreed on penalties together, blocking the Clippers from using arbitration. Fighting in court would have been an uphill battle with poor odds.
The punishment is severe
Five first-round picks stripped, a thirty million dollar fine, and suspensions for owner Steve Ballmer, executive Gillian Zucker, and basketball operations head Lawrence Frank.
Ballmer accepts responsibility
The Clippers owner apologized for the distraction caused by the salary cap violations involving Kawhi Leonard and said the team will comply with all penalties.
“for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner”
Why accepting was the smart move
A legal battle would have been costly and public. More importantly, accepting penalties without fighting opens the door to eventually getting some picks back, based on NBA history.
The Timberwolves precedent
In 2000, Minnesota was stripped of five picks for Joe Smith salary cap violations. After accepting punishment, they got picks back in 2000 and 2001 for good behavior.
Commissioner Stern rewarded compliance
David Stern returned one pick after the owner accepted suspension, then another after a year of clean conduct. The Clippers are betting current commissioner Adam Silver will do the same.
“We are pleased to put this episode behind us, so that we and the Timberwolves may focus our full energies on basketball”
But the Clippers are repeat offenders
They violated salary cap rules with DeAndre Jordan in 2015. That history makes it harder to argue they deserve the same mercy the Timberwolves received.
The Bradley Beal contract looks suspicious
Beal signed for eleven million last year, got injured, then re-signed for a twenty percent raise this offseason. The move doesn't make basketball sense for a rebuilding team.
Justice Department is investigating
Federal prosecutors are looking into the Clippers' salary cap practices. If they find violations the NBA missed, it could derail any hopes of getting picks back.
Future conduct matters most
The Clippers must stay clean going forward. Any new violations or suspicious contracts could convince Commissioner Adam Silver not to follow the Timberwolves playbook.
Five picks is nearly a death sentence
Losing that much draft capital cripples a franchise. The Clippers had to accept penalties and hope for relief, because fighting would have guaranteed they got nothing back.
The takeaway
By accepting punishment without legal fight, the Clippers follow a playbook that once helped the Timberwolves recover draft picks, but their repeat offender status makes that outcome uncertain.
