NBA commissioner Adam Silver has described the leagues investigation into the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard as closed following a major punishment that saw owner Steve Ballmer suspended for a year. The Clippers were fined $30 million and stripped of five first-round draft picks, while Leonard was fined $700,000 but avoided a suspension. The penalties followed allegations that the franchise circumvented the NBAs salary cap.Silver said the leagues board of governors had held extensive discussions about the responsibility of teams to follow the rules.I think everyone in the room understands that part of the core responsibility of the league is to have a set of rules that everyone agrees to operate under, and the leagues responsibility to enforce those rules, Silver said.And that if those rules are found to be violated, there then will be appropriate consequences.Table of ContentsLeonard trade finally completedSilver rejects wider cap concernsLeonard trade finally completedThe Clippers and Ballmer are also facing a Department of Justice investigation, according to The New York Times.Silver confirmed he had spoken with Leonard but declined to disclose details of their conversation. He said both parties had agreed to move forward.Leonards long-delayed trade from the Clippers to the Toronto Raptors was completed on Monday, shortly after the NBA announced its penalties.The punishment ranks among the most severe in league history and has been compared with the sanctions imposed on the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2000 for circumventing the salary cap in their signing of Joe Smith.The Timberwolves were also stripped of five first-round picks, while owner Glen Taylor and executive Kevin McHale were suspended for a year. Commissioner David Stern later returned two of the picks.Silver would not commit to offering the Clippers similar relief.Because while there have to be competitive consequences, our view, if these rules are violated, we still want to be a 30-team league, he said.And we recognize that in some ways, were unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well, and so thats the balance were trying to seek.Silver rejects wider cap concernsSilver insisted he did not believe the Clippers case indicated that salary-cap circumvention was widespread across the NBA.He also rejected the idea that the league should launch broader investigations into player agreements involving team sponsors.Ive been around the league for decades, Silver said.I pick up chatter here and there when other things are happening around the league. Ive had lots of conversations with general managers, team presidents, owners as to the kind of conduct that goes on.We know around the lines theres been slippage over the years, but nothing of this nature that Im aware of.Silver added that he did not believe the punishment had caused permanent damage to the Clippers, although he acknowledged that the franchise had suffered a significant setback. Topics Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Kawhi Leonard reacts to NBA punishment: Lapses in judgement Ben Miller 3rd September, 2026 Is Lamar Odom alive? How to watch Netflix documentary Untold: The Death & Life Ben Miller 1st April, 2026 Warriors vs Clippers: Kawhi Leonard backs Darius Garland for NBA All-Defensive Team Ben Miller 3rd March, 2026 James Harden: LA Clippers NBA trade rumors a surprise, says Leonard Ben Miller 3rd February, 2026 NBA: Chris Paul Returns To LA On A Deal With Clippers Matthew Gideon 28th July, 2025 NBA: Bradley Beal To Join Clippers Following Contract Buyout By Suns Matthew Gideon 23rd July, 2025
