While the NBA finally handed out penalties to the Clippers organization over the Kawhi Leonard situation, don't expect this to impact any other teams. Well, except the Raptors, who finally get Leonard back. For now, the Sacramento Kings don't have the resources to do anything.
One of the biggest stories in sports over the last year has been the NBA's investigation into the Clippers' dealings with Leonard. Part of the reason it became such a big story was how long the process was taking. Some projections had it going into 2027, which would have been ridiculous.
After an investigation by reporter Pablo Torre, the Clips were accused of facilitating tens of millions of dollars in under-the-table sponsorship deals to acquire Leonard. These do-nothing arrangements allegedly circumvented the salary cap, a core rule in roster-building in the league.
Adam Silver drops the hammer on the Clips
The NBA recently issued the Clippers' penalties which include a $30 million fine, a loss of five first-round draft picks, and suspensions for a few executives, including team owner Steve Ballmer. He has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to fight the NBA on their penalties.
Leonard escaped relatively unscathed. He was issued a $700,000.00 fine, which isn't much considering how big the 'endorsements' were. Now, he's off to the Raptors having made millions in Los Angeles while being injured a large portion of time and never getting the Clips close to a title.
Assuming these penalties stand, it means the Clippers will be basically dead in the water for the next five seasons. The Raptors, on the other hand, get to reunite with the guy who helped them win their first and only title. Other teams may also benefit, but it's hard to see the Kings being one of them.
Sacramento has its own issues to sort out
The Kings have made few trades or free agency moves because money is tight. Their biggest trade options are too expensive for any other team to seriously consider at the moment. Plus, it's hard to sign free agents when you're payroll is flirting with first apron luxury taxes you're trying to avoid.
Once these contracts are gone, the game changes for the Kings. They can start taking real advantage of the free agency market, and get the rebuild rolling. The reality of the situation is that it could still take two years for Sacramento to get there.
Even if there are opportunities for the Kings with this Clippers implosion, Sacramento isn't in the financial position to take advantage of them. All of that being said, Scott Perry is good at what he does, and will make a move as long as there's a good one to be made,
Add us as a preferred source on Google