Los Angeles Clippers fans are no doubt bracing for what could be a prolonged situation involving Kawhi Leonard. Leonard and the Clippers are currently being investigated by the NBA for alleged salary cap circumvention, and that could carry well into the season.
That is bad news for the Clippers, who will be left waiting for the other shoe to drop as far as potential punishments. If the allegations of Leonard receiving up to $48 million in additional salary off the books are true, then the Clippers could have the book thrown at them.
There's the Joe Smith situation involving the Minnesota Timberwolves back in the day. But if proven, this would be falling away much worse. That is what scares the Clippers and their fans.
What will the NBA's punishment be for Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers?
Commissioner Adam Silver has a wide range of latitude when determining punishment in the event he finds while doing. However, two of the most likely scenarios both involve Los Angeles getting absolutely pummeled by the league.
One scenario would see the Clippers stripped of their 2026 and 2028 pick swaps as well as their 2030, 2031, and 2032 first-round picks. That will leave them without a first-round pick for the next 8 years until 2033.
Also, Leonard could have his contract voted on and potentially even be suspended by the league, though that latter punishment seems less likely. Still, if the Clippers are left without a first for the better part of a decade and suddenly don't have their best player, then they would be thrust into a tough situation.
The Los Angeles Clippers are bracing for a Leonard punishment
The Clippers have built a surprisingly solid roster around Leonard despite not having many assets following the Paul George trade that brought him to Los Angeles. Nevertheless, if Leonard suddenly isn't on the Clippers, then they could be in huge trouble with them not having an obvious fallback plan.
Additionally, Steve Ballmer could also face punishment for his alleged role in the scandal, which could include a year-long suspension. Those possible punishments would surely put a damper on the Clippers' plans of using cap space in the summers of 2027 and 2028. After all, prospective free agent targets might be turned off by the aftereffects of the Leonard scandal.
For the Clippers' sake, they are probably quietly hoping for minimal punishment, if any, but the odds appear to be stacked against them heading into the season.