Adam Silver Reacts to Clippers Scandal Being Over

NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league is ready to move on from its investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.

The Clippers were hit with one of the biggest punishments in NBA history, with owner Steve Ballmer suspended for one year, the organization fined $30 million and five first-round draft picks stripped away. Leonard was also fined $700,000 but avoided suspension, according to ESPN.

Silver addressed the situation publicly Tuesday, making it clear why the league believed significant punishment was necessary.

“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 league’s responsibility to enforce those rules,” Silver said at his news conference Tuesday. “And that if those rules are found to be violated, there then will be appropriate consequences.”

Ballmer initially disputed the NBA’s findings before changing course and accepting the penalties.

“We are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine and are moving forward,” Ballmer said in a statement, according to ESPN.

Silver also spoke with Leonard following the investigation. While he declined to reveal details of their conversation, the commissioner said both sides agreed to move forward.

Leonard has since officially returned to the Toronto Raptors after his trade from Los Angeles was delayed for months while the investigation played out.

Despite the unprecedented hit to the Clippers’ future draft capital, Silver doesn’t believe the punishment will cause lasting damage to the franchise.

“Because while there have to be competitive consequences, our view, if these rules are violated, we still want to be a 30-team league,” Silver said. “And we recognize that in some ways, we’re unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well, and so that’s the balance we’re trying to seek.

“I don’t think in any way we’ve done permanent damage to this franchise, but there’s no question this is a setback for the team.”