Among the punishments announced by the NBA following an investigation into the Clippers: a loss of five first-round draft picks and a fine of $30M. Owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year. How shocking is it that Ballmer is being banned, and not Kawai Leonard? The guys from ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption' have more.
The NBA has declined to suspend Kawhi Leonard or void his contract after its salary-cap circumvention investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers, clearing a major hurdle for his proposed return to the Toronto Raptors. The league announced Wednesday it stripped the Clippers of five first-round picks from 2029 through 2033 and fined the team US$30 million after an independent investigation found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations.
The Raptors will retire Kyle Lowry’s No. 7 following their Jan. 10 game against the 76ers. Lowry will become the second player in franchise history to have his number raised to the rafters at Scotiabank Arena, joining Vince Carter. The six-time all-star is the franchise’s career leader in assists, steals and three-pointers.
Bennedict Mathurin has landed in the Big Easy. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Montreal-born swingman has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Mathurin, 24, had been a restricted free agent, but Mathurin lobbied the Los Angeles Clippers to withdraw his qualifying offer.
Klay Thompson was introduced to the Miami media on Tuesday and said he believes he still has enough left in him to be an impact player for the Heat.
The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson have reached an agreement to buyout the remainder of the 36-year-old's deal, the team says. Thompson will clear waivers on Sunday, and according to ESPN, he is expected to join the Miami Heat. Veteran wing and former Raptor DeMar DeRozan reportedly intends to sign with the Denver Nuggets, according to NBA insider Chris Hayes.
Free agent James Harden has agreed to a new three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a player option for 2028-29 and a trade kicker, agents Mike Silverman, Troy Payne and Brandon Grier of Equity Sports told ESPN on Thursday.
ESPN's Mad Dog is surprised that Tyrese Haliburton is shocked that his return to the Pacers' lineup will not be on national television.
On First Take, Chris Canty and Evan Cohen join Courtney Cronin to weigh in on Jeanie Buss contesting the sale of the Buss family’s 17.8% stake in the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner and how it could impact Luka Doncic's future.
The Get Up crew details the future of the Buss family's stake in the Lakers.
Ramona Shelburne reveals what's behind Jeanie Buss' Lakers ownership battle.
The Buss family has reportedly decided to sell its remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers to new majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. Once the transaction is completed, Jeanie Buss will no longer have the needed ownership percentage to remain governor because NBA guidelines require controlling owners/governors to own at least 15% of a franchise.
The NBA has found no evidence showing Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard in order to circumvent the salary cap, according to three people with knowledge of discussions between the two sides in recent days. Instead, the NBA is focused on whether the team's introduction of Leonard to team sponsors constitutes a violation of the league's rules prohibiting salary cap circumvention. ESPN's Baxter Holmes has more on this, and how it affects the trade with Toronto.
Watch as 2008 NBA Champion Doc Rivers is joined by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen on stage for his official induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Watch as six-time NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire is officially inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Watch as legendary coach Mike D'Antoni is officially inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, shouting out James Harden and Steve Nash in his speech.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Tim MacMahon and Kendrick Perkins join Vanessa Richardson on NBA Today to discuss the Lakers being sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion.
ESPN's NBA Today takes a look back at the best moments of Russell Westbrook's career following his announcement that he is retiring after 18 seasons in the league.
ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins weighs in on Jaylen Brown's first game as a Sixer against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.
Kendrick Perkins joins ESPN's First Take to share his list of the Top 5 point guards of all time.
ESPN's Kendrick Perkins reflects on the career of Russell Westbrook, who announced his retirement from the NBA on Wednesday.
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