Suns’ Mat Ishbia backs Steve Ballmer, praises Clippers punishment

Mat Ishbia still thinks Steve Ballmer is a great owner. He also thinks the NBA was right to come down hard on him.

The Suns owner offered both assessments during an interview with Dan Roberts for Front Office Sports’ Portfolio Players, addressing the Clippers’ salary cap circumvention scandal and Ballmer’s one-year suspension.

“I think Steve probably regrets what he did,” Ishbia said, via Eli Kronenberg of Front Office Sports. “I’m sure Steve realized he made a mistake. It doesn’t make me not like Steve. I think Steve Ballmer’s a great owner. He’s going to do great things. He’s a great part of the NBA. I know he’s on a year suspension. He’ll be back and hopefully have an impact in a positive way.”

That endorsement came with a fairly significant qualifier.

“Obviously we’re all very competitive and want to win, and so I get it, I understand the mindset,” Ishbia added. “But we’ve got to follow the rules as much as we can. That was a misstep by Steve.”

The NBA’s punishment followed an investigation into Kawhi Leonard’s no-show endorsement deal with failed environmental startup Aspiration. Along with suspending Ballmer, the league stripped the Clippers of five first-round picks and fined them $30 million.

Ishbia credited commissioner Adam Silver for making the consequences clear.

“I think Adam Silver did a fantastic job managing it, leading, and punishing someone, and setting the tone that, ‘Listen, we have rules for a reason. We’re going to follow the rules, and if you’re not going to follow the rules, there are going to be severe consequences to make sure that no one thinks about doing that again,’” he said.

Ishbia acknowledged that smaller violations probably happen around the league, citing player birthday gifts that exceed permitted limits. But he described the Clippers’ conduct as “extreme.”

“I don’t think anyone would do it again now, knowing what happened.”

Five first-round picks and $30 million should give even the most competitive owner something to think about.