
After a year-long investigation by Pulitzer winner Pablo Torre, the NBA's own investigation confirmed that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer circumvented the salary cap to pay Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers used multiple business partners to funnel money to Leonard and his then-representative, his uncle Dennis Robertson.
As a result, the league stripped them of five first-round picks, fined them $30 million and suspended Ballmer for a year. Several other front-office members received suspensions as well.
While that punishment might sound steep, especially considering Leonard was only fined $700,000 for his wrongdoings, Stephen Curry actually agrees with commissioner Adam Silver.
In an appearance on CNBC, the future Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on the resolution.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Curry said (h/t ClutchPoints). “I think the reason the investigation took as long as it did and the idea that Steve Ballmer, who I’ve gotten to know and I know he’s a great guy, is standing by the punishment – there’s a reason that it’s happened all the way it has. And at the end of the day, Adam Silver had a job to do, and I think the punishment makes sense, and we all move forward.”
"I wasn't surprised. ... Adam Silver had a job to do, and I think the punishment makes sense, and we all move forward."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 17, 2026
Steph Curry on Steve Ballmer and the Clippers being punished for circumventing the NBA's salary cap
(via @CNBC)pic.twitter.com/5Nw5kLqo0A
Ballmer was reportedly uninterested in settling and even looked at pursuing legal action against the NBA before eventually accepting to his punishment.
Leonard is now back with the Toronto Raptors via a trade that had been on pause while this whole situation played out, and the Clippers managed to recoup two of the five picks they lost.
The player got off with a slap on the wrist, which raises the question of whether he should've also been suspended after knowingly violating the rules for so long.
But at the end of the day, having Leonard sit out will only hurt the product, which is what Silver is ultimately trying to protect.
More must-reads:
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!