The NBA on Wednesday announced severe punishments for the LA Clippers -- including the loss of five future first-round picks and a fine of $30 million -- for violating salary cap circumvention rules when they signed star Kawhi Leonard in 2022.

In a statement, the NBA said a near-yearlong investigation "found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules." The punishments, as announced by the league, include: * The forfeiture of five first-round draft picks, one each in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA drafts.

* Owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year.