How Kawhi Leonard’s salary cap circumvention punishment compares to Joe Smith’s 2000 mistake

The NBA has finally reached a decision in the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard's salary cap circumvention controversy.

The NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers circumventing the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard extra money has found the team and the player guilty.

As a result, the league has imposed heavy fines on both. But how does the punishment compare to the 2000 case of Joe Smith, who was also found guilty of the same crime with the Minnesota Timberwolves? Let's find out.

LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard face heavier punishment than Joe Smith

NBA front office expert Bobby Marks recently shared a post on X that compared the punishments of the same crime committed by two organizations 26 years apart.

Both teams were stripped of their five first-round draft picks. Although the Clippers may be happy to learn that the league ultimately returned two of the T-Wolves' first-round picks later.

As for fines, the Timberwolves were given a $3.5 million fine, while the Clippers have been slapped with a massive $30 million penalty.

The biggest difference is the punishment for the players, as Smith's contract was voided by the NBA, but Leonard has walked away with a $700k fine.

This will allow the Clippers to complete Leonard's trade with the Toronto Raptors as the Klaw returns to the Eastern Conference side.