Clippers news: LA mocked for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George cost that will haunt them

As a result of the NBA's investigation into the LA Clippers about possible salary cap circumvention in regards to Kawhi Leonard , the team will have to forfeit five first round draft picks, among other punishments . The Clippers were already paying a hefty price as far as draft picks go in the assets they gave up to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Paul George trade.

Predictably, NBA fans took to social media to amplify the Clippers' misfortunes during the Kawhi Leonard and Paul George era, a timeframe in which all they had to show for it was a single Western Conference Finals appearance, with Leonard hurt no less, at the expense of now multiple draft picks.

In total, the Clippers will have lost 10 first round picks in signing Leonard. Five went to the Thunder and five were stripped by the NBA. They also gave up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the George trade, who has gone on to develop into no worse than a top-five player in the league.

From 2019 to 2024, the length of time that both Leonard and George were teammates on the Clippers, the team suffered three opening round playoff exits and had two years where they missed the postseason altogether. In what was originally viewed as a precursor to the Clippers becoming championship contenders, has been deemed by fans as arguably the worst set of moves in NBA history considering the outcome.

Also complicating matters during that period was both Leonard and George's injury struggles. Both dealt with injury issues that sidelined them during multiple playoff runs.