"My thought". The NBA definitely chose the right player to make an example of in this matter. It brought the message/warning across, and it didn't give them a hard decision because he isn't a player whose name is spelled L-E-B-R-O-N. Because if it was actually a player such as Lebron or one of those "highly-endorsed" players, then we could truly expect the NBA to hide this matter from the public, OR have the player make a "public apology" + a suspension, but not a life-time ban.
I think all NBA players are still popular because all are good players but there are only some who excels a little than the rest and they do because they prove they can. They are most importantly honest about their plays but I think NBA won't give an exception even to them once proven guilty of getting involved in such act.
They need to be fair and transparent or else their reputation is the ones who will get affected and many people won't support them anymore. Doing such disciplinary measures is great, so that there will be no or there are only less players who will attempt of committing such act. I'm sure most players will choose both fame and money over money only and get a bad name.
Trust me if you're a big enough name you can get about anything swept under the rug. The most infamous murder trial in US history is one where former HOF legendary NFL RB killed his wife, her bf, drove his white ford bronco on a high speed chase (after the cops had been called to his home on domestic violence disputes 9 times previously), and he was found not guilty. He was, in fact, 1 zillion person guilty and everyone knows it. Yes this guy wasn't a current player but it's just the most infamous example of athletes getting free passes. He just died, and good riddance to him. ( I doubt I have to say his name for most to know whom I speak of).
Kobe Bryant potentially raped a woman & he was back in the league in no time. It's pretty damming too -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant_sexual_assault_caseAdrian Peterson, one of the best RBs of all time, beat his child (and later caught doing it again), but was back in the league in no time-
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2014/09/12/the-details-of-adrian-petersons-arrest-are-disturbing/Tyreek Hill, former Chiefs now Dolphins super star WR had audio recording admitting he beat his wife and child, Floydd Mayweather, same thing (not to mention Floyd had been a part of so many ponzi schemes it's not even funny, but gets no jail time and back to fighting like they never happened, over and over again (big crypto scam promoter too). So in sports, where BILLIONS of dollars are on the line, money often trumps justice if you're good enough. Just a few examples of MANY!
If you're not that great, you get this kind of punishment (see MLB player Addison Russel for another example).