LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS, STEVE BALLMER AND KAWHI LEONARD HANDED BRUTAL PUNISHMENT AS NBA INVESTIGATION ENDS

The Los Angeles Clippers have been stripped of five first-round draft picks and fined $30million for breaching salary cap circumvention rules.

Additionally, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been banned from all NBA and team activities for a year and player Kawhi Leonard has been ordered to pay the league $700,000.

The Clippers have had the book thrown at them by the NBACredit: Getty

The punishments come following the conclusion of an investigation that found the Clippers got around salary cap rules to sign Leonard as a free agent back in 2019.

NBA statement

An official release from the NBA read: "The NBA announced today that the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard have been penalized for violating the salary cap circumvention rules contained in the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

"This determination was based upon information developed through an independent investigation conducted by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz.

"The investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules. As described in a summary report prepared by Wachtell Lipton, available here, the Clippers broke the rules by:

"Affirmatively initiating off-court income opportunities between Mr. Leonard and four companies doing business with the team: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance;

"Facilitating endorsement agreements between these companies and Mr. Leonard;

"Inducing the companies to enter into these agreements by offering them business from the team;

"Paying personal expenses on behalf of Mr. Leonard and his representatives; and

"Failing to report improper solicitations for off-court income opportunities made on Mr. Leonard’s behalf through his then-business manager, Dennis Robertson.

"Mr. Leonard, through the conduct of Mr. Robertson on his behalf, violated the circumvention rules by pressuring the Clippers to assist him in obtaining off-court income opportunities, successfully obtaining those opportunities, and failing to reimburse payments by the Clippers for personal expenses.

Ballmer must cough up an eye-watering $30mCredit: Getty

"Based on this misconduct, the NBA has imposed the following penalties:

"The Clippers shall forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts.

"The Clippers are fined $30 million.

"Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, for approving a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement agreement with Mr. Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules.

"Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended without pay for one year for being primarily and directly culpable for the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for providing false and misleading statements to investigators.

"Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended without pay for six months for his involvement with the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for approving impermissible expenses incurred by Mr. Leonard and his family.

Leonard, meanwhile, has been hit with a six-figure fineCredit: Getty

"The Clippers organization and personnel are subject to a compliance and monitoring program overseen by the league office for a period of five years.

"In connection with his violations, Mr. Leonard is required to pay the league $700,000.

"Mr. Robertson is banned from conducting business or otherwise engaging with NBA teams and their affiliates on behalf of or with respect to any player, employee, or other league or team personnel for a period of five years."

It was also revealed that the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) made an agreement confirming the penalties.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “The NBA’s collectively bargained system for determining player compensation is a fundamental component of the basketball competition that the league oversees for the benefit of the teams and players and ultimately the fans.

"I am deeply disappointed by the flagrant violations of our rules and by the Clippers’ institutional and leadership failures that led to this misconduct. The severity of the penalties reflects the seriousness of the violations."

- Tom Hancock

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DON NELSON. SECOND-WINNINGEST COACH IN NBA HISTORY, DIES AT 86

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, a five-time NBA champion as a player and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has died, it was announced Sunday. He was 86.

"On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family," Nelson's family said in a statement. "Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories."

In 31 seasons as an NBA head coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors (twice), New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks, Nelson finished with a regular-season record of 1,335-1,063. He retired with the most coaching wins ever, a mark that was broken by the San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich in March 2022.

Nelson made 18 playoff appearances as a coach, finishing with a 75-91 postseason record.

As a player, Nelson won five NBA titles in 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics, who retired his No. 19 jersey in 1978. He played 14 seasons in the NBA.

"The Celtics extend our deep condolences to Nelson's family, loved ones, and everyone he touched through his rich and impactful life in basketball and beyond," the Celtics said in a statement.

Immediately following his playing career, Nelson joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach for the 1976-77 season. Only 15 games into that season, he was promoted to head coach after Larry Costello was fired.

From there, Nelson, who added general manager to his title the following season with Milwaukee, used an unorthodox coaching style that became known as "Nellie Ball" to put together a Hall of Fame résumé during his 31 seasons. Nellie Ball proved to be ahead of its time, utilizing smaller, more athletic players to fuel a fast-paced offense that prioritized creating mismatches through speed. It was a philosophy that was adopted across the league long after he retired.

"Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in a statement Sunday. "He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game."

Nelson's fast-paced offenses were probably best on display during his first stint in Golden State in the early 1990s -- the "Run TMC" era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson said he wanted the trio of guards on the court at the same time, a daring idea at the time.

"Nellie was ahead of his time and there was nobody else like him," Hardaway said. "He had an incredible impact on my career and on the game of basketball. I'm going to miss him, and my thoughts and prayers are with Joy, Donnie and the entire Nelson family."

Richmond and Mullin also shared heartfelt gratitude toward Nelson in statements released Sunday, a sentiment shared by several of the longtime coach's former players.

Nelson was a three-time winner of the NBA Coach of the Year award (1983, '85, '92) but never won an NBA championship as a coach.

Boston Celtics' Don Nelson (19) goes to the basket against Milwaukee's Cornell Warner (35) during an NBA championship game in 1974. AP Photo, File

With Milwaukee, Nelson missed the playoffs only twice in his 11 seasons, winning seven straight Central Division titles. But he never reached the NBA Finals as he couldn't overcome Eastern Conference powerhouses Boston or Philadelphia, and he resigned after the 1986-87 season.

After one season of TV analyst work, he returned to the bench with Golden State, where he spent seven seasons before he resigned midway through the 1994-95 season. He returned for a second stint with the Warriors before the 2006-07 season and stayed four more seasons in his final NBA stop.

Nelson accepted the coaching job with the Knicks before the 1995-96 season but was fired with a 34-25 record and replaced by assistant Jeff Van Gundy.

The following year, Nelson joined the Mavericks, where he helped turn around the franchise's fortunes by working draft-day deals to acquire future Hall of Famers Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. He coached eight seasons with the Mavericks, and his son Donnie, who served as his assistant, also was the team's general manager before an acrimonious split in June 2021.

"We hid Dirk for several weeks before the draft," Nelson told Sports Illustrated about Nowitzki flying under the radar while practicing with Athletes in Action in Dallas before the 1998 draft. "We made a commitment that we were going to draft him. We just wanted to keep him from going anywhere else to work out. He was going to be ours. He was happy with that. So, he hid for a week in Donnie's basement."

In a social media post Sunday, Nowitzki thanked Nelson for all his former coach did for him.

Nelson is also credited for helping land another franchise-altering superstar in his final years as Warriors head coach. During the 2009 NBA draft, he went against consensus and pushed Golden State to draft Stephen Curry with the No. 7 pick.

"One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson," Curry said in a statement. "The story is he never liked rookies, but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court. He taught me a lot during our one season together and I'll never forget the night he became the winningest coach in NBA history in Minnesota. We were so happy for him.

"He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game. He's a true icon and will be missed by the countless number of people he touched, including myself, during a legendary career."

Nelson twice coached in the NBA All-Star Game, and he led "Dream Team II" to a gold medal at the 1994 FIBA World Championships.

Nelson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade, Nelson wore a pair of Doncic's signature Jordan Brand sneakers to the awards ceremony. He called the trade a "tremendous mistake."

Doncic, who shared a close relationship with Donnie Nelson during their time together in Dallas, called Sunday a sad day for basketball in a social media post.

After a standout college career at Iowa, Nelson broke into the NBA as a player with the Chicago Zephyrs, who selected him with the 17th pick in the 1962 draft. The Los Angeles Lakers claimed him off waivers before the 1963-64 season, but Nelson did not play much. Celtics general manager Red Auerbach then came calling before the 1964-65 season, signing him as a free agent. Nelson went on to average 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while winning five titles during his 11 seasons in Boston.

His most celebrated moment as a Celtic came in the final minutes of Game 7 of the NBA Finals in 1969 against the Lakers, when Nelson's foul-line jumper that initially bounced high off the back rim gave Boston a three-point lead.

Overall, he played 1,053 regular-season games as a small forward and power forward, averaging 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. In 150 career playoff games, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds.

"Don Nelson revolutionized NBA basketball through his fearlessness, ingenuity and deep conviction," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. "He spent nearly 50 years in the NBA -- winning five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics before building one of the most successful and pioneering coaching careers in league history. He brought an unmistakable personality to everything he did, and his impact on our sport will continue to be felt for generations."

After his coaching career, Nelson retired to a 22-acre farm in Maui, Hawai'i, and became an entrepreneur. He told HBO's "Real Sports" in 2019 that he grew flowers, coffee and cannabis on the farm.

After the deadly Maui wildfires of 2023, Nelson opened his rental properties to families who had lost their homes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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OKC FORCE NUGGETS INTO MAJOR FINANCIAL TROUBLE

The Thunder forced Denver into a major financial bind by making the Nuggets match Spencer Jones' two-year, $12 million offer sheet, increasing their luxury-tax bill by $32 million and pushing them into the second apron.

Credit AP-SCANPIX

The Oklahoma City Thunder have pushed the Denver Nuggets into a significantly more expensive financial position despite failing to acquire Spencer Jones.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Denver matched Oklahoma City's two-year, $12 million offer sheet for Jones, retaining the restricted free-agent forward before Sunday night’s deadline.

The decision increases the Nuggets’ projected luxury-tax payment by approximately $32 million, from $36 million to $68 million, while pushing them into the NBA’s second apron. Denver are currently the league’s only team operating above that threshold.

Oklahoma City makes Denver pay to retain Jones

Although the Thunder did not land Jones, their offer sheet forced the Nuggets to make an expensive decision regarding one of their most valuable homegrown players.

Denver originally signed Jones after he went undrafted out of Stanford in 2024. He began his professional career on a two-way contract before earning a standard NBA deal in February following his emergence as a reliable rotation option.

Jones appeared in 64 games last season, including 37 starts, and averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes. He shot 50.4% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range.

The 25-year-old also played an increased role during the playoffs, averaging 6.5 points in 24.2 minutes across six appearances while converting 69.2% of his three-point attempts.

Denver ultimately decided that retaining a young player developed within its system was worth the additional cost.

Credit Rio Giancarlo/

Nuggets become NBA's only second-apron team

Matching the offer sheet carries consequences beyond Jones’ $6 million annual salary.

Denver’s luxury-tax bill is projected to rise from approximately $36 million to $68 million, with the franchise also crossing into the second apron and triggering further roster-building restrictions.

The Nuggets could attempt to reduce their bill through trades during the season, but any salary-cutting move could require them to sacrifice depth or attach draft compensation.

Oklahoma City, meanwhile, created a difficult decision for a Western Conference rival without taking on any long-term financial commitment of its own after Denver matched the contract.

Peyton Watson becomes Denver's next challenge

The Nuggets must now resolve the future of another restricted free-agent forward, Peyton Watson.

According to Charania, the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers are all pursuing Watson, placing additional pressure on Denver after its expensive decision to retain Jones.

Keeping Watson could push the Nuggets even deeper into the tax, while allowing him to leave would cost them another important member of their wing rotation.

- BasketNews

THE 'REAL REASON' LEBRON JAMES JOINED THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS HAS BEEN REVEALED

 

NBA superstar LeBron ‌James turned down four other teams before opting to join the Philadelphia 76ers for a record-extending 24th career season in the league - and the 'real reason' behind his decision has emerged.

From the moment the news broke on Friday, James made one thing abundantly clear in the fourth move of his NBA career. His switch to the 76ers was not about securing one final lucrative payday.

This was proven when details of his new salary were confirmed, with the 41-year-old set to earn far less than he did last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Four Teams LeBron Rejected Before Signing With the 76ers

The 76ers beat out competition from the Miami Heat to land James, with many viewing a return to the franchise where he won his first two championships as a fairytale ending. Potential switches to the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and a third spell with the Cleveland Cavaliers were also firmly on the table.

Despite these four sides emerging as genuine contenders for James' signature, Philadelphia’s new-found championship credentials ultimately proved impossible to ignore for LBJ. The four-time NBA champion is prioritising one thing above all else: placing himself in the strongest possible position to compete for his fifth chip.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, that mindset ultimately separated the 76ers from a host of rival suitors. Speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Charania explained James' pursuit of another ring and why it came before any financial consideration.

"LeBron James put his money where his mouth is because, from the outset of this process, he felt like he wanted happiness," Charania said.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea via Imagn Images

"So what did happiness justify for him? It meant going out somewhere where he can compete for a championship, be a part of a culture and an environment where he feels like he can stay competitive."

Charania added that after weighing up his options, Philadelphia offered the strongest championship chances.

"He felt out of the Cavs, the Heat, the Warriors, the Sixers had the best roster to win a championship, his potential fit championship," Charania said.

Why the 76ers Won the LeBron James Lottery

LeBron James via REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

"I still want to sacrifice," James said as he broke the news on his X account. "I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship."

Several key moments over the past few weeks ultimately led James to swap the Lakers for the 76ers.

The first came away from the court. 76ers president Mike Gansey played a pivotal role in negotiations. Gansey has known the 41-year-old since his high school days, giving Philadelphia an invaluable connection.

Both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey also spoke to James during his free agency, playing agent for their side.

And Nick Nurse was the only head coach James held discussions with during his free agency, further underlining Philadelphia as his ideal destination.

"The only coach that LeBron James spoke to during this process over the last three and a half weeks, that's Nick Nurse with the Sixers," Charania said.

Yet despite all these factors, Jaylen Brown's trade to the 76ers proved the most decisive of them all.

His blockbuster move from rivals Boston Celtics, in what has become one of the most controversial trades of the 21st century, has transformed the 76ers from a seventh-seeded side into a genuine NBA Championship contender heading into the 2026/27 season.

James' arrival has only strengthened those credentials, with Philadelphia now boasting one of the most star-studded rosters in the NBA.

"The moment he got traded to the Sixers from Boston, a couple days into free agency, the Sixers came onto LeBron James' radar, came on the map," Charania said.

Brown's arrival in Philadelphia has made the 76ers one of the teams with the strongest cores in the league.

Faced with the choice of returning to Cleveland, reuniting with Miami alongside Giannis, linking up with Stephen Curry in Golden State or joining Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, James' decision may have come from left field, but it could also provide him with the strongest opportunity to end his career on the highest possible note by winning a fifth NBA championship.

- Joseph Ryan

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