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After one of the most drawn-out processes in the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers have been found guilty of salary cap circumvention<\/a> involving Kawhi Leonard following a year-long investigation.<\/p>\n The findings have rocked the NBA, with the league stripping the Clippers of five first round picks, issuing a $30 million fine to owner Steve Ballmer and handing down suspensions to Ballmer, Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker.<\/p>\n Leonard will not have his contract voided and has escaped suspension, but will have to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits provided by the Clippers to his uncle and former business representative Dennis Robertson.<\/p>\n Watch LIVE coverage of the 2026 WNBA regular season, Playoffs and Finals with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Robertson, who was fired by Leonard in June, has also been banned by the NBA from all business dealings.<\/p>\n With one of the NBA\u2019s biggest investigations in recent history finally concluded and the findings handed down, reaction has poured in from around the league.<\/p>\n But perhaps no warning was stronger than that of Kevin O\u2019Connor, who believes the consequences could haunt the Clippers for years to come.<\/p>\n \u201cThis could set them back for decades,\u201d O\u2019Connor said on The Kevin O\u2019Connor Show.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just shocked. We finally actually got a result here that something actually happened and for the Clippers, oh boy, oh boy.<\/p>\n \u201cWas it worth it? I don\u2019t think so.\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Connor looked back on the entire Clippers era that began with the acquisitions of Leonard and Paul George, and what was once viewed as the beginning of a championship window now looks considerably different.<\/p>\n Los Angeles mortgaged its future to pair the two stars together, but with the benefit of hindsight and the latest penalties now added to the equation, O\u2019Connor believes the overall cost has become staggering.<\/p>\n \u201cKawhi Leonard, remember the excitement of getting Kawhi and Paul George and trading away Shai Gilgeous Alexander, future NBA Finals MVP, two-time regular season MVP,\u201d O\u2019Connor said.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n KAWHI BANNED: Clippers slam draft, ban sanctions in brutal NBA verdict on Kawhi scandal<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n AUSSIE TRADED AGAIN: Trade deja vu as $20.5m move revealed\u2026 and it sparks a blockbuster NBA pivot<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cRemember the excitement of that on that day when that happened?<\/p>\n \u201cBoy, what\u2019s the total penalty for the Clippers to make this happen? How many picks did they give up with SGA? Five?<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is like 10 first round draft picks the Clippers gave up for, I don\u2019t know, not much excitement with Kawhi Leonard and a lot of missed games with Kawhi and Paul George getting out of there pretty quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cMan, I just, I feel for Clippers fans, man. I mean, look, like you did kind of choose this life.\u201d<\/p>\n If the situation was not already concerning enough for Clippers fans, it was what O\u2019Connor added next that painted an even bleaker picture of what could lie ahead.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as bad as you thought it might\u2019ve been, somehow it\u2019s gotten worse.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be looking any better anytime soon, because there are some good-looking draft classes in 28 and 29 that now the Clippers are going to miss out on.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to set back a rebuild. This isn\u2019t just a five-year penalty for the Clippers, this could set them back for decades,\u201d O\u2019Connor added.<\/p>\n