NBA commissioner admits Clippers discipline incidentally ‘punishing the fans’

NEW YORK — NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the punishment of the Los Angeles Clippers for their role in circumventing the salary cap is final and was meant as a deterrent for other teams not to engage in breaking league rules.

Silver discussed some of the league's pressing matters as they concluded the two-day Board of Governors meeting in midtown Manhattan, while preparing for their 81st season starting Oct. 20, when the New York Knicks begin their defense of the championship against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Los Angeles had five first-round picks taken away, was fined $30 million, and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for one year for what the NBA said was the team "knowingly seeking to help" star forward Kawhi Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities.

Two other Clippers executives were suspended, and Leonard was fined $700,000 for their roles in the scheme; they were not represented at this Board of Governors meeting. Ballmer apologized to the team's fans and said in a statement he won't fight the salary-cap circumvention penalties.

Silver said during a press conference that there was difficulty in punishing the team, but there had to be "competitive consequences" for…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/