LOS ANGELES — Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers are still determining how to respond to the NBA's penalties, including whether to pursue a lawsuit against the league that could involve seeking a restraining order, sources told the New York Times. The potential legal action would mark a sharp escalation in the franchise's dispute over sanctions described as among the harshest in league history.
The consideration follows an aggressive public pushback from the organization against the league's findings and punishment. The Clippers have already issued a forceful statement rejecting the NBA's conclusions, calling the investigation "heavily biased" and stating that "what the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly."
The NBA's penalties stripped the Clippers of five future first-round picks and included a $30 million fine, a one-year suspension for Ballmer, and a $700,000 restitution payment required from Kawhi Leonard. Team executive Lawrence Frank also received a six-month suspension as part of the sweeping discipline.
It remains unclear whether the Clippers will ultimately follow through on legal action, according to the people familiar with the discussions. No suit has been filed, and the franchise continues to evaluate its options as it weighs a direct court challenge to the league's ruling.