Steph Curry shared his thoughts on the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer’s punishment for circumventing the NBA’s salary cap.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Curry said. “I think the reason the investigation took as long as it did and the idea that Steve Ballmer, who I’ve gotten to know and is a great guy, is standing by the punishment. So there’s a reason it’s happened the way that it has.
“At the end of the day, Adam Silver had a job to do, and I think the punishment makes sense. And we all move forward.”
The Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks and fined $30 million for their violations. Ballmer faces a yearlong suspension, but after initially disputing the NBA’s findings, he has accepted the league’s punishment.
“This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets,” Ballmer said in a statement. “I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner.
“We are committing to put this chapter behind us. We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine, and are moving forward.”
As for Kawhi Leonard, he is officially a Raptor after he was given a $700,000 fine for his involvement in the scandal.
While this chapter may be closed, the Clippers and Ballmer may be in even more trouble with a potential federal probe on the horizon.
