Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer hands Kawhi Leonard his jersey during an introduction press conference in 2019. Getty Images
If you’re scoring at home, here’s what the full-court press for Leonard has cost the Clippers:
— Five first-round picks (one of them became all-star Jalen Williams) to the Thunder, along with players headlined by two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Canadian superstar. Leonard insisted on playing with Paul George, which allowed the Thunder to make one of the most one-sided deals in NBA history.
OKC has won an NBA title and six playoff series in that time; the Clippers won only three series.
— Five first-round picks forfeited to the NBA (2029 to 2033).
— A $30-million US fine and multiple suspensions, including one to Ballmer.
The team’s first-round pick situation would be as follows:
2027 draft: Second best of their own, Toronto’s, Denver’s or Oklahoma City’s.
2034 draft: Finally have their own first-round pick again