NBA gives final ruling on Kawhi Leonard and it's great news for Toronto Raptors

The verdict is in on the Kawhi Leonard investigation, and it's good news for the Toronto Raptors.

After a yearlong probe, the NBA found that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap and will strip the franchise of five first-round picks, plus issue a $30 million fine to team owner Steve Ballmer.

The only penalty Leonard will face is a $700,000 fine in restitution for improper benefits by the Clippers for his uncle and former business rep, Dennis Robertson.

That means there will be no contract void or suspension for Leonard, and the Raptors' June 30 trade with Los Angeles will likely be unpaused and go through without penalty.

Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and the four draft picks, plus a pick swap, will head to Los Angeles and also not be affected by the outcome of this investigation.

The Clippers will instead forfeit five of their own first-round draft picks, starting in 2029, and until the 2033 NBA Draft.

BREAKING: The NBA has ruled on the Los Angeles Clippers in for salary cap circumvention investigations on Kawhi Leonard after yearlong probe -- stripping the franchise of 5 first-round picks, issuing a $30 million fine to owner Steve Ballmer and suspensions for Ballmer, Lawrence… pic.twitter.com/JCV5bI88BE

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 2, 2026

The NBA said its investigation found a pattern of misconduct and "significant" violations by the Clippers organization where the franchise affirmatively initiated off-court income opportunities between Leonard and four companies doing business with the team.

The Clippers had induced the companies to enter into these agreements by offering them business from the team.

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

The two-time NBA Finals MVP's former business rep was fired by Leonard in June, is now banned from the NBA for five years.

The league's commissioner, Adam Silver, said in a statement on Wednesday that he is "deeply disappointed" by the conduct and violation of league rules by the Clippers organization and said that the penalties reflect the seriousness of the violations.