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 tell the New York Times.

The move would mark an escalation of the Clippers' public pushback against the league's findings and punishment. The organization has 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, among the harshest in league history, included stripping the Clippers of five future first round picks, a $30 million fine, a one-year suspension for Ballmer, and a $700,000 restitution payment required from Kawhi Leonard. Lawrence Frank also received a six-month suspension.

It remains unclear whether the Clippers will ultimately follow through on legal action, according to the people familiar with the discussions.