NBA Hammers Clippers Over Kawhi Leonard Scandal; Dante Moore No. 1 in CFB QB Rankings

The NBA has delivered a massive punishment to the Los Angeles Clippers following its investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, while college football has a new name at the top of the quarterback rankings.

The Clippers were hit with a $30 million fine, five first-round draft-pick forfeitures and a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer. Meanwhile, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has been ranked No. 1 in CBS Sports’ preseason college football quarterback rankings ahead of the 2026 season.

NBA hands down severe punishment to Clippers

The NBA announced its findings on September 2 after an independent investigation into the Clippers and Leonard.

The league said the investigation uncovered a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant violations of the salary-cap circumvention rules. According to the NBA, the Clippers helped create off-court income opportunities for Leonard involving four companies that did business with the team: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance.

The league also said the organization facilitated endorsement agreements, offered business incentives to companies involved in those arrangements and paid certain personal expenses for Leonard and his representatives.

Clippers lose five first-round picks

The punishment is particularly damaging to the Clippers’ long-term roster-building plans.

The franchise must forfeit its first-round picks in the 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033 NBA Drafts. The team was also fined $30 million and placed under a five-year NBA compliance and monitoring program.

Ballmer has been suspended from all NBA and team activities for one year. Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker received a one-year suspension without pay, while President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for six months.

Leonard himself was ordered to pay a $700,000 fine in connection with his violations.

His former business manager, Dennis Robertson, has been banned from conducting business with NBA teams and affiliates on behalf of league or team personnel for five years.

Clippers reject the NBA’s findings

The Clippers have strongly disputed the league’s conclusions.

The organization said it plans to challenge the findings and penalties through arbitration, arguing that the investigation was biased and that information presented privately by the NBA differed from what was announced publicly.

Leonard has also maintained that he entered into the agreements in good faith and did not know of any intention to circumvent the NBA’s salary-cap rules. He expressed regret over the controversy but said he was focused on moving forward.

The scandal has therefore reached a major turning point, but the legal and arbitration battle could keep the issue in the spotlight.

Dante Moore takes No. 1 spot in CFB QB rankings

While the NBA dealt with a major controversy, college football entered the 2026 season with Dante Moore sitting at the top of CBS Sports’ quarterback power rankings.

The Oregon star was ranked No. 1, ahead of Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Moore’s ranking is based heavily on what he accomplished last season and the talent surrounding him at Oregon.

Moore enters 2026 with huge expectations

Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2025, helping Oregon reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.

One of the biggest reasons for optimism entering 2026 is the Ducks’ improved receiving corps. CBS Sports noted that Oregon’s pass-catching group is deeper and healthier than it was for much of last season.

Evan Stewart, Jeremiah McClellan and Dakorien Moore headline the receiving group, while former five-star prospects and other proven targets add further depth.

That supporting cast could give Moore the opportunity to surpass his impressive 2025 production.

Arch Manning remains close behind

Texas quarterback Arch Manning was ranked No. 2.

Manning enters the season after producing more than 3,500 total yards and 36 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in 2025. He also had offseason surgery to address a foot issue that affected him last season.

Manning’s path to the top of the rankings could become clearer early in the season, particularly with Texas facing major competition.

The next names in the race

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss landed at No. 3, followed by Miami’s Darian Mensah and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin.

Chambliss was one of college football’s biggest breakout stars in 2025, while Mensah arrives at Miami after throwing for 3,973 yards at Duke last season. Sayin, meanwhile, enters his second season as Ohio State’s starting quarterback with several major games ahead.

The quarterback race will be closely watched not only because of the Heisman Trophy but also because many of these players are potential first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Two major sports storylines collide

The Clippers’ punishment and Moore’s rise represent two very different developments across American sports.

In the NBA, the Clippers face one of the most significant penalties in league history, with five future first-round picks and a $30 million fine at stake.

In college football, Oregon has placed its championship ambitions behind Moore, who enters the season as the No. 1 quarterback in CBS Sports’ preseason rankings.

For the Clippers, the challenge is now rebuilding under extraordinary draft restrictions. For Moore, the challenge is proving that his No. 1 ranking was earned—and leading Oregon deep into the College Football Playoff.