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The Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard were penalized for circumventing the salary cap on Wednesday, but Leonard’s contract was not voided and he was not suspended. However, the Clippers will forfeit five first-round picks, be fined $30 million, and owner Steve Ballmer, president Lawrence Frank and president of business operations Gillian Zucker will all be suspended. Their first-round picks will be taken away in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033. Ballmer and Zucker will be suspended for one year without pay, and Frank will be suspended for six months. Leonard will have to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers for his uncle and former business representative, Dennis Robertson. Robertson was fired by Leonard in June and is now “banned from conducting business or otherwise engaging with NBA teams and their affiliates on behalf of or with respect to any player, employee, or other league or team personnel for a period of five years,” according to the NBA’s official release. “Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am,” Leonard said in a statement released on his Instagram account. “I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgement by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family.” “I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap.” “For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.” The Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard on June 30, in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a first-round pick swap in 2027. However, the Raptors and Clippers later decided to delay the trade until the investigation is complete. “Regarding our planned trade with the LA Clippers for Kawhi Leonard, the NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors said in a statement. “In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete. The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.” It stands to reason now that the investigation has concluded and punishment has been handed out — without a suspension for Leonard — the trade will proceed as previously agreed upon.