The Biggest Punishments In NBA History

The NBA has handed out plenty of fines over the years, but some punishments have gone far beyond writing a simple check. Few were as significant as Robert Sarver's punishment in 2022. An NBA investigation uncovered widespread misconduct by the Phoenix Suns owner, including the use of racial slurs, inappropriate sexual comments, and unwanted physical conduct. After a 10-month inquiry, Sarver was fined $10 million and suspended for one year from all NBA and WNBA activities. He later sold the Suns and Mercury to Matt Ishbia for $4 billion. The Miami Heat faced a similarly unusual punishment in 1995. Pat Riley left the New York Knicks despite having a year remaining on his contract, famously doing so by fax before taking over in Miami. The Knicks accused the Heat of tampering, resulting in a settlement where Miami paid New York $1 million and traded its 1996 first-round pick. The Knicks later used the selection to draft Walter McCarty. The Minnesota Timberwolves what was then the harshest punishment for salary cap circumvention in NBA history in 2000. An investigation discovered that the franchise had secretly agreed to give Joe Smith an $86 million extension after signing him to three below-market contracts. Commissioner David Stern fined Minnesota $3.5 million, voided Smith's contract, and stripped his bird rights. The Wolves also lost five first-round picks, though two were later returned. But the biggest punishment in league history came when the Clippers were fined $30 million and lost five consecutive first-round picks following an investigation into Kawhi Leonard's free agency. The NBA found LA had facilitated outside endorsement opportunities and covered personal expenses for Leonard and his inner circle. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, while two team executives were also suspended.