Clippers could face even more punishment over Kawhi Leonard fiasco

After months of an independent investigation, the NBA has surprisingly laid the hammer on Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Clippers will have to forfeit five first-round picks, with multiple executives and the owner facing lengthy suspensions and a $30 million fine. Kawhi Leonard is still expected to be traded to the Toronto Raptors in the next few days.

However, the league might not be done punishing the Clippers. According to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the league is still gathering information, so there could be additional penalties.

The NBA isn't done with the Clippers

“All these penalties we’re talking about are at least 5 first-round picks, at least $30 million. There’s a very important line here, they are continuing to receive information relevant to the investigation, and the league will consider further action,” Windhorst said.

The insider added that the league had to rush things because of the pending trade to the Raptors, urging the Clippers not to fight the penalties, cut their losses and beg the NBA to leave it at that.

“So they may keep stacking stuff on. As more companies come out this could get worse. The NBA needed a conclusion because of the Raptors trade. But this could be just the beginning,” Windhorst added. 

The league-wide sentiment is that Leonard got off easily. He'll have to pay back $700K, but he won't face any suspensions. As for his uncle, Dennis Robertson, he's banned from doing business with NBA teams for the next five years, which is also a light penalty given the circumstances.