Steve Ballmer has accepted the NBA’s penalties against the Los Angeles Clippers, but that has not prompted the franchise to resume discussions with the Toronto Raptors regarding the pending Kawhi Leonard trade.
Ballmer announced Sunday that the Clippers have paid the $30 million fine and are complying with the penalties imposed by the NBA following its salary-cap circumvention investigation.
“For my Los Angeles Clippers followers This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets,” Ballmer wrote. “I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner.”
Ballmer added that there are still disagreements with the findings but said the organization is focused on moving forward.
However, Jake Fischer reported that Ballmer’s decision should not be interpreted as a sign that Leonard’s trade to Toronto is imminent.
“The Clippers still haven’t determined who will serve as the franchise’s interim governor, I’m told, as the league convenes its Board of Governors meetings in New York City tomorrow,” Fischer wrote. “Steve Ballmer will not attend while he accepts the NBA’s suspension and other penalties.”
Fischer added that the Clippers “aren’t quite ready to get back on the phone with Toronto,” despite the NBA league office being prepared to process the trade without an interim governor in place.
The trade between Los Angeles and Toronto was agreed upon June 30, with the Clippers set to receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks for Leonard.
The transaction has remained incomplete for more than two months, despite Leonard already joining the Raptors for a minicamp-style retreat in Miami. The 35-year-old has been limited to individual workouts because the trade has not yet become official.
The delay followed the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Leonard. The league concluded that Los Angeles violated salary-cap circumvention rules by initiating and facilitating off-court income opportunities involving Leonard and four companies doing business with the franchise.
The Clippers were fined $30 million and stripped of their first-round picks from 2029 through 2033. Ballmer received a one-year suspension, while Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months without pay and Gillian Zucker for one year without pay.
Leonard was fined $700,000 but was not suspended, and his contract remained valid. Dennis Robertson, his former business manager, received a five-year ban from conducting business with NBA teams and affiliates on behalf of players or league personnel.
The disparity in punishment has reportedly created resentment within the Clippers organization. Fischer previously reported that there was “definitely some resentment” toward Leonard, although he found no indication that the franchise was deliberately retaliating against the star forward by delaying the trade.
Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season, shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range. He earned All-NBA Second Team honors and finished seventh in MVP voting.
