NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the media Tuesday following the league's board of governors meetings in New York City, and addressed, among other topics, the recent punishment handed down to the Los Angeles Clippers, looming league expansion and the Portland Trail Blazers' future. Here are some of his most notable comments: Earlier this month, the NBA released its findings from a year-long investigation into the Clippers and allegations of salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. The investigation found "a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations by the Clippers organization, a prior offender of the salary cap circumvention rules," the league said.
As a result, the Clippers must forfeit five first-round picks and were fined $30 million. Additionally, owner Steve Ballmer and president of business operations Gillian Zucker were both suspended without pay for a year. Lawrence Frank, the team's president of basketball operations, was suspended six months without pay and Leonard, whose trade to the Toronto Raptors was reportedly agreed to again on Monday night, was ordered to pay the league $700,000.
"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," Silver said. "But as I said, the ultimate goal in terms of these types of sanctions is to ensure that other teams don't engage in this type of behavior in the future, so there has to be something beyond suspensions and financial consequences." Initially, the Clippers said they "vehemently" rejected the league's findings and characterized the investigation as "heavily biased." The organization also said it would "vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available." However, on Sunday, Ballmer backed down and apologized "for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner." The change in tone led some to wonder if the Clippers were angling to eventually get some of their first-round picks back, as the Minnesota Timberwolves did in the Joe Smith saga in 2000. Silver rejected any such notion on Tuesday.
"The discipline is final," Silver said. "I don't think it would be appropriate to take you through the back and forth with the Players Association. I did meet directly with Kawhi recently and I think we all agree it's time to move forward here.
I think we reached a fair outcome for everyone." In March, the NBA officially approved the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers to Dallas businessman Tom Dundon, who also owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, for $4.25 billion. The early part of Dundon's tenure in Portland has been filled with controversy. Dundon, branded "El Cheapo" by influential podcaster Bill Simmons, has ruthlessly cut costs in every department.
Most notably, interim coach Tiago Splitter, who had guided the team to the playoffs after Chauncey Billups' arrest one game into last season, parted ways with the team after reportedly being low-balled. The Blazers eventually hired Micah Nori on a one-year contract -- unheard of for an NBA head coach. Dundon's actions, combined with issues regarding the team's arena, have led to speculation over the summer about the team's future in Portland.
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