NBA suspends Clippers owner Steve Ballmer for one year, fines team $30 million and forfeits five first‑round picks

The National Basketball Association announced on Tuesday that the Los Angeles Clippers have been fined $30 million and will lose five first‑round draft selections, one each in the drafts beginning in 2029. The penalty, imposed by the league’s disciplinary committee, is among the most severe financial and competitive sanctions ever levied against an NBA franchise.

The forfeiture of the picks will affect the Clippers’ ability to acquire top amateur talent for the next half‑decade, while the monetary fine adds a significant burden to the organization’s payroll. The NBA said the sanctions were necessary to uphold league rules and maintain competitive integrity, and the team will be required to comply with the penalties as outlined in the league’s governing documents.