The L.A. Clippers have roared back to life after a slow start to the season, but the good vibes may be short-lived if the latest NBA rumors are true. NBA insider Frank Isola recently stated his belief that the Clippers could lose three first-round picks and face a $30 million fine.
“I heard it could be 3 first-round picks… and then it’s going to be a lot of money… More than $30 million, I’ve heard,” Isola said.
That would leave them without their own first-round pick until 2031. And while $30 million is a lot of money, that wouldn't put much of a dent in Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's wallet.
The picks are far more devastating. If the NBA were to also void Kawhi's contract, they would lose their best player for nothing and be hard-pressed to rebuild through the draft.
L.A. was probably always going to go the free agency route post-Kawhi, but having no firsts might scare top players away from a team unable to build around them through the draft.
The Clippers may face massive NBA punishment for Kawhi Leonard
Isola's reporting makes the Clippers' trade deadline moves make a lot more sense. They traded away aging star James Harden for one that is 10 years younger.
They also traded starting center Ivica Zubac for former lottery pick Ben Mathurin and two lightly protected firsts via the Indiana Pacers. The NBA is unlikely to touch those picks, and that could help L.A. chart a course for the future.
If the NBA does indeed come down hard on L.A., then they at least did their best to mitigate the fallout. The outcome of this effort remains uncertain. In the meantime, they have a strong chance of making the playoffs but face an uphill battle to make it out of them.
The Clippers deserve punishment if Kawhi Leonard allegations are true
That may end up being the high point for the Clippers in the near future, barring them ending up with a top-10 pick in this year's draft thanks to the Pacers.
Even so, the Clippers deserve what they have coming to them if the NBA can prove allegations surrounding salary cap circumvention are true. The league would have to drop the hammer to prove that what is alleged won't be tolerated.
If Isola is right, Commissioner Adam Silver could make an example out of L.A. What the Clippers do afterward will determine just how much it impacts their franchise going forward.