How Clippers try to move forward after the NBA findings against them in a salary cap circumvention investigation, the team’s owner Steve Ballmerwho was suspended for a year could face consequences when it comes to his standing around the league.
“I think (the other owners) wanted to believe him, especially because they like him” Brian Windhorst said in a recent segment for ESPN (YouTube video link). “A very influential person told me that some of the other owners were horrified when they read the report…regardless of what Steve said, the support he had is gone…If Steve Ballmer decides to go legal, I can’t predict what will happen in the league with the other owners.”
Windhorst went on to detail how the Timberwolves were able to mitigate some of the damage from their own embezzlement case in 2000, noting that it took several years and the team’s fight with the league to get some of its draft picks back.
He also pointed out that there are more ways to achieve positive results in negotiations than to concede, saying some around the league believe that going offensive and fighting penalties is the best option moving forward.
We’ve got more from across the Pacific:
- After being selected 56th overall Warriors in the 2025 project, Will Richard put together a very solid rookie season, averaging 6.4 points in 20.0 minutes per game while appearing in 69 contests, including 21 starts. However, he does not remember those games. That he remembers being left out as a DNP during Golden State’s win over the Clippers and loss to the Suns, Monte Poole writes for NBC Sports Bay Area. “He hit the starting wall”, coach Steve Kerr said. “He had a great season and then the last 20 games or so he looked like a rookie. He looked tired and he didn’t have the same pop he used to. That’s almost to be expected.” Richard is not embarrassed by the grade, but rather uses it as motivation. “That was kind of my incentive for the offseason– said Richard.Just working on things that I know will get me on the floor in those playoff games (and) next year.” Dribbling, shooting and catching, and getting into transition are some of the specific areas he has focused on.
- The Lakers are adding a ninth statue to the Star Plaza that stands outside the Crypto.com Arena: the legendary head coach Phil Jackson, the team announced in a press release. “Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason– said the owner Ginny Bass. “His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game. After he accepted my father’s invitation to join the Lakers, Phil’s unmatched creativity and commitment to excellence restored our championship legacy, bringing five titles and setting the standard of excellence for generations to come. It is a great joy to be able to celebrate this achievement with the statue he so deserves.” The 11-time championship head coach won five of his rings with the Lakers.
- The The sun The Valley Suns, a member of the G League, announced their coaching staff under a second-year coach Paul Jespersonaccording to a team press release. Gerard Martin will return as an assistant coach, and will join him Jimmy King and Ralik Wise as assistants, for now Cedric Blossom, Rick Carterand Coleman Sparling were selected as player development assistants.
