Another NBA year at its end. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to see my dumb jokes! Decided to make a thread of things that happened this calendar year in the NBA, here's to another great year! (1/10)

Just in: Toronto Raptors All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has agreed on a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise, plus a player option for the 2028-29 season, his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports tells ESPN.

The Pistons have offered Jalen Duren a 5-year, $200M deal, which he has not accepted. (ESPN)

Week 2, we’re LOCKED IN 👑👀 Polymarket Partner.

Adam Silver reportedly reached out to Sophie Cunningham to get her thoughts on who should be the next WNBA commissioner, per @YahooSports

Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a trade call.

The Clippers announce that they “vehemently reject” the NBA’s conclusions and sanctions” and say “we intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.”

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is complying with the NBA's punishments of the franchise for salary cap circumvention, deciding not to pursue any legal action. Statement from Ballmer: This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets. I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner. We are committing to put this chapter behind us. We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine, and are moving forward. While there are still disagreements concerning the findings in the report, this is not where I want to focus. Team owners should support, not distract. The challenges ahead of us are significant, but so is our resolve. We will continue to build our team and invest in our community. The confidence of our fans is our priority. With our talented roster, outstanding staff and clear vision, I am certain that we will compete at the highest level and be an organization our fans can be proud of.

The Clippers have listed Bradley Beal No. 3 jerseys for sale, using Chris Paul’s former number 😳 CP3 said the franchise told him they would retire his number when he was sent home last season (H/t @EtienneCatalan)

🚨BREAKING 🚨 @Nike & @NBA are unveiling new Specter Edition unis!! Nike’s new NBA Specter Edition uniforms, created for the teams who trace their roots back to the earliest chapters of the league. Kings, Pistons, Hawks, Warriors, Knicks, 76ers, Lakers and Celtics!

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has decided to retire at the end of the season, sources tell ESPN.

Will Kawhi penalties help Celtics maximize the Clippers' 2028 pick? 📝 Column by @ChrisForsberg_ bit.ly/4zRuVUt

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Steve Ballmer to Ramona Shelburne on why Aspiration gave Kawhi that much money: "I don't know how much money they gave him." "Look, they conned me, they conned me. I made an investment in these guys, thinking it was on the up and up and they conned me"

The NBA has found no evidence that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through team sponsors to pay Kawhi Leonard and circumvent the salary cap, sources told @DVNJr, @Baxter and @ramonashelburne. Full story: spr.ly/6017B1weL1

Per NBA: The Clippers shall forfeit five first-round draft picks, one in each of the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033 NBA Drafts. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended from all league and team activities for one year for knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities, for approving a business deal that he knew was a precondition for Aspiration to enter into an endorsement agreement with Mr. Leonard, and for his failure to create conditions under which his organization abided by the NBA’s circumvention rules. Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker is suspended without pay for one year for being primarily and directly culpable for the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for providing false and misleading statements to investigators. Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank is suspended without pay for six months for his involvement with the impermissible endorsement arrangements and for approving impermissible expenses incurred by Mr. Leonard and his family. The Clippers organization and personnel are subject to a compliance and monitoring program overseen by the league office for a period of five years.

BREAKING: The NBA has ruled on the Los Angeles Clippers in for salary cap circumvention investigations on Kawhi Leonard after yearlong probe -- stripping the franchise of 5 first-round picks, issuing a $30 million fine to owner Steve Ballmer and suspensions for Ballmer, Lawrence Frank and Gillian Zucker, sources tell ESPN. Kawhi Leonard will have to pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits by the Clippers for his uncle and former business rep, Dennis Robertson. No contract void or suspension for Leonard. And Robertson -- who was fired by Leonard in June -- is being banned by the NBA from all business dealings.

The NBA's rulings are final -- there is no formal appeal or arbitration process available to the Clippers with the league. LA's only outlet to fight the punishment is in court.