The NBA on Wednesday announced severe punishments for the LA Clippers-- including the loss of five future first-round draft picks, a fine of $30 million and a yearlong suspension of owner Steve Ballmer – for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving star Kawhi Leonard.
They did it the smart way. By giving Kawhi only a slap on the wrist, the player’s union accepted the punishment and now Ballmer can’t take it to arbitration without them.