Adam Silver: Historic Clippers penalties are 'final'

NBA commissioner Adam Silver. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Adam Silver: Historic Clippers penalties are 'final'

Originally posted on Hoops Rumors | By Dana Gauruder | Last updated Sep 15, 2026 7:48 PM ET

Commissioner Adam Silver stated during a Tuesday news conference following the Board of Governors meetings that the penalties doled out to the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard regarding salary-cap circumvention are “final” and there will no alterations, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

“The discipline is final…I don’t think it’d be appropriate to take you through the back and forth with the Players Association,” Silver said. “I did meet directly with Kawhi recently. I think we all agree it’s time to move forward.”

The Clippers were docked five future first-round picks and fined $30M. Additionally, owner Steve Ballmer, president of business operations Gillian Zucker and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank were suspended and the team’s organization and personnel were essentially placed on probation for the next five years.

Leonard, whose trade to the Raptors was completed on Monday, was fined $700K but not suspended.

Silver on if #Clippers penalties are final or negotiable: "The discipline is final...I don't think it'd be appropriate to take you through the back & forth with the Players Association. I did meet directly with Kawhi recently. I think we all agree it's time to move forward." #NBA
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 15, 2026

Leonard’s seemingly light punishment has been criticized in many circles. Ballmer announced on Sunday he would accept his one-year ban and would not pursue litigation regarding the league’s punishment.

Silver believes the franchise will still be able to put out a competitive product despite the penalties, Lewis reports.

“I don’t think in any way we’ve done permanent damage to this franchise,” he said. “No question this is a setback for the team…The ultimate goal of these type of sanctions is to ensure other teams don’t engage in this type of behavior in the future.”

Adam Silver on #Clippers penalties: "I dont think in any way we’ve done permanent damage to this franchise. No question this is a setback for the team...The ultimate goal of these type of sanctions is to ensure other teams dont engage in this type of behavior in the future." #NBA
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 15, 2026

However, Silver also stated he’s sympathetic with the team’s fans, Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press writes.

“I think that’s, in some ways, the most difficult part of adjudicating these disputes,” Silver said. “While there have to be competitive consequences, in our view, if these rules are violated we still want to be a 30-team league and we recognize that in some ways we’re unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well.”

The Clippers did not send a representative to the BOG two-day meetings. That’s because they’re still in the process of appointing a governor for the upcoming season with Ballmer suspended, Mike Vornukov of The Athletic reports.

The Clippers were not represented at the NBA board of governors meeting these last two days. Adam Silver said that's because they're in the process of appointing a governor for the next year. Silver: "That person has to be vetted as well."
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 15, 2026

“That person has to be vetted as well,” Silver added.

The Clippers are still the subject of a Department of Justice investigation as a result of their dealings with Leonard.

This article first appeared on Hoops Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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