Adam Silver: the Kawhi Leonard probe, the Clippers’ punishment and NBA expansion plans

NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke after a Board of Governors meeting on various issues affecting the league, including the Los Angeles Clippers’ punishment for salary-cap circumvention violations related to Kawhi Leonard sponsorship deals, discussions around league expansion and the need for renovations in several arenas.

As Bleacher Report reports, Silver stressed that the league’s fundamental responsibility is to have clear rules and enforce them; when it is determined that rules have been violated, there must be appropriate consequences. He also explained the need to find balance when setting punishments, being aware that sometimes measures also hit fans. Silver confirmed that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is suspended for one year and was not present at the Board meetings; the club initially opposed the decision but then accepted to enforce the punishments. The commissioner mentioned that Ballmer had offered an apology and accepted responsibility, and that he expects him to return as owner in good standing.

The Board also discussed the NBA expansion issue, with particular attention to opportunities in Las Vegas and Seattle. Silver said the visit to Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle was part of the arena review and that the start of games in Las Vegas has a longer timeline compared to opportunities in Seattle. He reiterated the goal that key decisions be made by the end of the year and stressed that the bid evaluation process is ongoing.

Regarding Portland, Silver underlined the need for a modern arena for the Trail Blazers and expressed hope that the parties would reach a reasonable solution. There is a proposed funding framework for over $586 million agreed between the state of Oregon, the city of Portland and Multnomah County, but terms have not been finalized with the city and county; ahead of a city council vote planned for December 17, if no agreement is reached, $365 million committed by the Oregon legislature will expire on December 31 and the organization’s long-term location after the current contract expires in October 2030 will remain uncertain, according to Bleacher Report.