Clippers apologize, warn fans of 'challenges' after Leonard scandal / Photo: RONALD MARTINEZ - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Clippers apologize, warn fans of 'challenges' after Leonard scandal
The Los Angeles Clippers on Monday apologized to fans and warned of grave challenges ahead after the NBA franchise was hit with severe penalties for its violations of salary cap rules.
Earlier this month, the Clippers were fined a record $30 million, stripped of five first-round NBA Draft picks and had multiple leadership figures banned after a probe uncovered violations involving payments to former star Kawhi Leonard.
After initially pledging to fight the sanctions, the Clippers have since pledged to comply with the NBA's decision. They begin their new season on October 21 against the Sacramento Kings.
"Obviously, this took a little longer than we had hoped. You guys deserved to hear from us before this. Our fans deserved to hear from us before this, and for that, we're sorry," said Trent Redden, interim head of basketball operations, at the team's media day.
Redden was standing in for Lawrence Frank, one of several Clipper executives suspended over the scandal, along with team owner Steve Ballmer.
Redden said running the team "will be a challenge without them" and warned that the "penalties we are facing are significant."
"These challenges are large, not just the penalties, but some of the injuries that we've already faced as well," he added.
Forward Brandon Ingram -- one of two players the Clippers acquired in exchange for trading Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors -- will miss the start of the new season as he recovers from surgery on a partially torn Achilles tendon, said Redden.
Shooting guard Bradley Beal will miss the start of training camp due to a knee injury, while young star Jordan Miller will not be available for months after surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff.
"This franchise often has done its best work with its back against the wall," said Redden.
"We hope to represent our fans the same way we always have in dark times -- by coming out fighting."
The NBA investigation found the Clippers aided Leonard in evading salary cap rules in deals worth millions of dollars with team corporate sponsors when he signed in 2022.
The probe found the club induced companies to enter into agreements with Leonard by offering them business, paid personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives, and failed to report improper solicitations for income opportunities by Leonard's then-business manager.
John Gibson, a Los Angeles lawyer and long-standing Clippers fan, has been appointed interim governor and chief executive officer during Ballmer's year-long suspension.
P.Mathieu--JdB
