Clippers facing federal criminal probe after bombshell NBA findings

· California Post

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers over allegations it circumvented the NBA’s salary cap involving star player Kawhi Leonard.

The Department of Justice probe is in the beginning stages and being handled by the US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, the New York Times reported.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard received different punishments for the Clippers’ circumventing the league’s salary cap. Getty Images
Kawhi Leonard in action against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Dec. 30, 2025. Getty Images

The probe comes just days after the NBA dropped a staggering punishment on the Clippers, fining the team $30 million, suspending owner Steve Ballmer and stripping the franchise of five first-round draft picks.