Blake Griffin Criticizes Clippers Fallout and Recalls Ballmer Dispute

The Los Angeles Clippers face significant roster-building restrictions following an NBA investigation into their handling of Kawhi Leonard's endorsement arrangement, while former franchise star Blake Griffin has revisited both the sanctions and his complicated history with team leadership. In interviews published October 19 and October 20, 2026, Griffin expressed sympathy for Clippers supporters, backed calls to retire Chris Paul's jersey and described an unresolved disagreement with owner Steve Ballmer.

The NBA imposed a $30 million fine, suspended Ballmer from league activities for one year and suspended team business operations president Gillian Zucker for one year without pay. The league also stripped Los Angeles of five first-round draft picks, beginning in 2028 and extending through 2033, according to the reports.

The sanctions followed an investigation into the team's handling of Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration. The organization subsequently traded Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, ending a period that had generated considerable expectations but ultimately disappointed the franchise.

Griffin, a five-time All-Star in Los Angeles, played a central role in the Clippers' most successful sustained stretch at the time, alongside Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. The team reached the playoffs in six consecutive seasons during that era and won three playoff series.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated ahead of the October 20 premiere of his show, The Stepback With Blake Griffin, the former forward emphasized the consequences for the fan base.

"Obviously it's a huge bummer," Griffin said.

He expanded on his concerns about the supporters who have remained loyal despite the franchise's limited postseason achievements.

"I think the thing that I keep coming back to is, I'm really bummed for Clippers fans. I'm still living here in L.A. and being out and about and just running into Clippers fans all the time, like, you talk about a loyal fan base. That franchise hasn't had a lot to really celebrate in terms of championships or huge postseason runs. I just feel bad for the fans.

"But you'll get through this next 5 years. And at the end of the day, when I got drafted by the Clippers, Donald Sterling was notoriously one of the worst owners (in the NBA) and also notoriously cheap. Some Clippers fans have experienced that end of the spectrum.

"Then Steve (Ballmer) is coming in and revamping everything, new arena, paying maybe a little too much for players. But I mean, if you're a fan, I'd want my owner doing everything possible. Within the rules, but doing everything possible (to succeed). So they get through these five years and then I hope that they get back to that place because that's what Clippers fans deserve."

Griffin's comments followed the publication of another interview in which he discussed his own departure from Los Angeles and the treatment of Paul. The Clippers selected Griffin first overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, and he won the 2011 Rookie of the Year award before becoming one of the franchise's most recognizable players.

In 2017, the organization staged a mock jersey retirement ceremony at Staples Center as part of its effort to persuade Griffin to stay. He subsequently signed a five-year maximum contract, but the Clippers traded him to the Detroit Pistons in January 2018. Griffin said he learned about the transaction through social media.

"Finding out through Twitter, through other people, is a tough way to find out," Griffin said at the time.

During a conversation with Pablo Torre on Pablo Torre Finds Out, Griffin recalled a separate incident involving Ballmer on January 12, 2019, when Detroit played the Clippers at Staples Center. Griffin said his established pregame routine involved finishing warmups at the free-throw line before running directly to the locker room.

"I never stopped for anybody my entire career," Griffin said.

Ballmer was waiting near the sideline with his hand extended, but Griffin continued toward the locker room. He said he initially did not notice the owner and then decided not to interrupt his routine.

"I swear on everything. I don't see him at first," Griffin said.

He explained that, after noticing Ballmer, he continued walking rather than stopping for a handshake.

"I see him and I'm like, split second, like I'm not stopping. I've never stopped for anyone. Why would I stop now?" Griffin said.

Once he reached the locker room, Griffin received a text from his agent about a request from Zucker, the Clippers' president of business operations, asking him to return and shake Ballmer's hand before the game began.

"So, okay. Oh, this is all for the appearance," Griffin said.

Griffin declined to return to the court for the handshake and later scored 44 points in Detroit's 109-104 victory. He said some Clippers beat writers were "very critical" of his decision, despite his explanation that he had followed the same pregame routine throughout his career.

Griffin said he continues to hold no hard feelings about the trade itself but remains puzzled by the expectation that he should have accommodated the public gesture.

"Why was I obligated?" Griffin said.

He described the incident as another confusing episode in the aftermath of his departure and questioned why his refusal had made him appear to be the party at fault.

"And I have zero hard feelings towards that whole situation, but like it was just a crazy (thing). Another crazy thing that I was like, how did I end up the bad guy in this situation?" Griffin said.

Despite his personal history with the organization, Griffin said he takes no satisfaction in the league's disciplinary action against the Clippers.

"I get no joy in like seeing this happen to the Clippers," Griffin said.

The separate controversy surrounding Paul's jersey number has also drawn Griffin's attention. Paul, who wore No. 3 during his All-Star years with Los Angeles, returned to the franchise for a farewell season before being sent home in December, abruptly ending his NBA career.

The Clippers' decision to give No. 3 to Bradley Beal for the upcoming season prompted criticism from fans who wanted Paul's number retired. Beal described Paul as a "legend" and said his "HISTORY and BRAND can't be touched, nor erased!!" in a social media post.

Griffin supported the sentiment, arguing that the circumstances surrounding Paul's departure should not diminish his contributions to the franchise.

"How Chris exited was obviously disappointing, I think, for him and the fans," Griffin said.

He maintained that Paul's place in the team's history remained significant regardless of the way his final stint ended.

"It doesn't take away from that No. 3 with Paul on the back. That's the jersey, you know what I mean? I think a lot of fans would love to see that number retired."

Griffin also addressed whether the Clippers might eventually retire his own No. 32 jersey. The number has not been worn by another player since his 2018 trade, but Griffin said the organization had not informed him of any plans to honor him in that way.

"To me jersey retirements are a fan and an organization thing," Griffin said.

He said the decision should rest primarily with the franchise rather than depend on a player's personal campaign for recognition.

"More so an organization thing, obviously, but I'm not gonna be, like, campaigning myself. I don't plan to go outside of Intuit Dome and be like, 'Retire 32! Come on, guys.

Come on, who's with me?' Obviously it would be a huge honor, but… I think they're figuring some stuff out."