NBA made this move to squelch the political fall out. Union threats etc. This is for show only. NBA has no way to enforce this, and likely doesn’t care. If Sterling decides to take it to court, the NBA has an out when they lose in court. It becomes some one else’s problem and not theirs. All depends on if Sterling decides to go along with their charade or if he tells them to take a hike. And who knows what this goof ball might do.... or what his wife might do.
On one hand, he's 81 and may decide to pack it in.
On the other hand, I believe Sterling's introduction to the NBA was suing the league for trying to keep him from moving the franchise to LA.
On the third hand, Sterling says the Clippers are not for sale. Hello, litigation.