Up to date Sept. 15, 2026, 6:14 p.m. ET
NEW YORK — NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned the punishment of the Los Angeles Clippers for his or her function in circumventing the wage cap is ultimate and was meant as a deterrent for different groups to not have interaction in breaking league guidelines.
Silver mentioned a few of the league’s urgent issues as they concluded the two-day Board of Governors assembly in midtown Manhattan, whereas making ready for his or her 81st season beginning Oct. 20, when the New York Knicks start their protection of the championship in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles had 5 first-round picks taken away, was fined $30 million, and Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and group actions for one 12 months for what the NBA mentioned was the group “knowingly looking for to assist” star ahead Kawhi Leonard acquire off-court revenue alternatives.
Two different Clippers executives have been suspended, and Leonard was fined $700,000 for his or her roles within the scheme; they weren’t represented at this Board of Governors assembly. Ballmer apologized to the group’s followers and mentioned in a press release he will not battle the salary-cap circumvention penalties.
Silver mentioned throughout a press convention that there was issue in punishing the group, however there needed to be “aggressive penalties” for rule violations, and he does not assume that he has executed everlasting injury to the franchise.
“We nonetheless wish to be a 30-team league, and we acknowledge that, in some methods, we’re sadly punishing the followers of that group as effectively. And so that is the steadiness we’re making an attempt to hunt,” Silver mentioned. “The last word purpose, when it comes to these sort of sanctions, are to make sure that different groups haven’t got to interact in such a habits, sooner or later, so there needs to be one thing past suspensions and monetary penalties, and that needs to be to manage competitors”
The Clippers concluded the June 30 commerce that despatched Leonard again to the Toronto Raptors, the place he helped win the NBA championship in 2019, for ahead Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, in addition to two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round decide swap, and two second-round alternatives. That deal had been on maintain on the group’s discretion whereas the NBA concluded its investigation into the Clippers.
Newest on Lakers sale
Silver additionally up to date the state of affairs with the Los Angeles Lakers, which is being offered by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner and TWG World CEO Mark Walter for a report $12.5 billion to businessman Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Lakers controlling proprietor Jeanie Buss is difficult that sale, saying her 5 siblings haven’t got the best to promote the household’s 17.8% remaining stake within the group. Buss, by advantage of getting greater than 15% possession of the group, stays the Lakers’ governor.
Silver mentioned he had no prior information that Walter, whom federal prosecutors are investigating for potential monetary improprieties at two insurance coverage corporations he managed, needed to promote the group till he heard from consumers who had a handshake take care of him. When coping with Walter, Silver mentioned the league discovered no crimson flags when he initially purchased the group in October 2025.
“Even to this present day, as you already know, these are allegations,” Silver mentioned. There are points that are actually being seemed into, however unbiased of Mark Walter selecting to promote this group proper now, he was not being investigated by our league.”
NBA enlargement?
Silver mentioned the potential league enlargement into Las Vegas and Seattle, in addition to the state of affairs in Portland with the Path Blazers, the place the battle for a brand new area drags on beneath proprietor Thomas Dundon.
Silver made it clear that the group wants a brand new area to interchange the Moda Heart, which opened in 1995 and is taken into account one of many league’s worst venues. He added that they have not mentioned the group relocating and that it might be a “failure” if the group moved.
“It will be significant, on the identical time, that Tom Dundon reaches a take care of the town officers and the state elected officers that makes working essential and viable for the long run. So that is what we’re targeted on.”
There isn’t a timetable for the enlargement of the brand new groups, the final of which was added in 2004 with the Charlotte Bobcats, bringing the league’s whole to 30. The Bobcats have been renamed the Hornets a decade later.
So far as Vegas and Seattle, Silver mentioned the subsequent spherical of bids will likely be coming in shortly.
“I feel that there’s actual pleasure round both, you already know, a renovated T-Cell Enviornment,” Silver mentioned of Vegas. “I feel it nonetheless wants some vital enhancements, however on the identical time, there are teams who’ve offered plans to go, what I’d name, you already know, a contemporary leisure palace in Las Vegas, and it is a distinctive market.”
