Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith supports the NBA's punishment of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer following its investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, while making clear that he still holds Ballmer in high regard personally.

The league suspended Ballmer from team activities for one year, fined the Clippers $30 million, and took away five first-round draft picks. The penalties followed an investigation into endorsement arrangements involving Leonard and four companies: Aspiration Partners, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics, and Lockton Insurance.

Speaking with Daniel Roberts of Front Office Sports in a recent interview, Smith described Ballmer as a “stand-up individual” and admitted he was glad the Clippers owner accepted the NBA's punishment.

“There are so many different aspects of this, from a league standpoint,” said Smith. “On a personal level, Steve [Ballmer] has been so awesome to me over the years… He's a stand-up individual.”

“This game's tricky. This game's hard. And, obviously we have rules, and the NBA's got to do it, and I'm glad he accepted [the punishment], and we all can just turn the page and move on. It's not the first time this has happened in the league. But these rules have to mean anything, as owners were held to a pretty high standard comparatively, and it kind of is what it is.”

“Like, I love Steve. I think he's been an incredible owner in the league. His impact, I think the NBA is way better with him. But this is just one of those things, and hopefully he can get back on the horse next year and we can get back into it. I think everyone's just ready to move on.”

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The situation is not without precedent. In 2000, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost five first-round picks and were fined $3.5 million after the NBA found an improper arrangement involving Joe Smith. Then-commissioner David Stern also voided Smith's contract.

In Leonard's case, current commissioner Adam Silver did not void his contract but fined the player $700,000. The Clippers had previously been fined $250,000 in 2015 over an alleged third-party endorsement opportunity involving DeAndre Jordan.

Smith also revealed that Ballmer was among the first people he spoke with when Smith purchased the Jazz in 2022 for $1.66 billion. Despite the Clippers being dealt a heavy hand, Smith said he believes the league is ready to bury the hatchet and move forward.