Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was not surprised by the NBA's punishment of the Los Angeles Clippers stemming from their salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard.

During an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Curry addressed the league's investigation and subsequent penalties against the Clippers, saying NBA commissioner Adam Silver's decision made sense after the lengthy process.

“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 I know he’s a great guy, is standing by the punishment – there’s a reason that it’s happened all the way it has. And 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 NBA punished Los Angeles after concluding its investigation into the franchise's salary cap circumvention involving Leonard. The Clippers received significant organizational penalties, while Leonard also faced an individual financial punishment.

"I wasn't surprised. … Adam Silver had a job to do, and I think the punishment makes sense, and we all move forward."

Steph Curry on Steve Ballmer and the Clippers being punished for circumventing the NBA's salary cap 🗣

(via @CNBC)pic.twitter.com/5Nw5kLqo0A

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 17, 2026

Los Angeles was fined $30 million and stripped of five future first-round draft picks. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension, while Leonard was ordered to pay $700,000 in restitution.

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Stephen Curry weighs in as Clippers move forward without Kawhi Leonard

Curry's comments offer the perspective of one of the league's most prominent players as the Clippers deal with the fallout from the investigation.

The punishment also preceded the end of Leonard's seven-year tenure in Los Angeles. The Clippers officially traded the two-time Finals MVP back to the Toronto Raptors on Monday in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round selections.

Leonard originally joined Los Angeles in 2019 after leading Toronto to its first NBA championship. His Clippers tenure ended without an NBA Finals appearance despite the organization's championship expectations following his arrival.

Golden State, meanwhile, will enter the 2026-27 season with Curry continuing to lead the franchise.

While the severity of the Clippers' punishment generated discussion around the NBA, Curry indicated he understood why the league reached its decision. With the investigation concluded and Leonard now back in Toronto, Curry's stance was straightforward: The punishment made sense, and the league can move forward.