Adam Silver makes it clear: NBA Europe next summer

The great project of the NBA in Europe is beginning to take shape. Adam Silver confirmed that the league is still working with the goal of launching a 12-team competition next summer and explained that negotiations with EuroLeague were on the table during the last meeting of the board of governors.

The NBA commissioner discussed the future of the European project during a press conference where he also addressed the sanctions on the Clippers, the potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle, the future of Portland, and the leadership transition in the WNBA.

The NBA wants to start in Europe next summer

Silver assured that the NBA is making progress toward its goal of starting a 12-team European competition in about a year. The project still has numerous elements to be defined, including the salary system, the aggregation of television rights, and plans to build or adapt different arenas in Europe.

Silver's intention remains to work jointly with EuroLeague, so discussions between both sides were one of the topics addressed in the meeting with NBA franchise owners.

The commissioner also made it clear that the product that might be seen initially will not necessarily be the final version of the future competition.

"I do think it's important that we introduce competition into the market next summer," said Silver. "The initial product you'd likely see a year from now will be different than when we ultimately will have brought all the teams together and are formally operating the league."

The head of the NBA has tasked the league's vice president, Mark Tatum, with leading the process to define the structure of this new competition, in a project that could significantly change the landscape of European basketball.

Las Vegas gains ground over Seattle for a possible expansion

The NBA's expansion was also a topic during the appearance. Silver acknowledged that there is currently more activity around Las Vegas than Seattle, although both cities remain part of the discussions.

According to the commissioner, there are "several active groups" interested in Las Vegas, and the next offers will be coming soon, although they will not be the final proposals yet.

Silver particularly highlighted the potential of T-Mobile Arena, although he acknowledged that significant improvements would be needed if it were to become the permanent home of an NBA franchise. He also noted that some groups have presented plans to build a new facility that could become a major year-round entertainment center.

Seattle has Climate Pledge Arena, a venue that Silver described as modern, but the commissioner explained that the timeline for the NBA to return to the city would be longer.

The league is considering different scenarios: a franchise coming to Las Vegas, another to Seattle, both cities receiving teams, or ultimately no expansion. Silver, however, maintains the goal of making a decision before the end of 2026.

Silver confirms the investigation into the Clippers is closed

Another major issue addressed was the investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. Silver considers the case to be "closed" after one of the toughest sanctions in NBA history.

The Clippers were fined $30 million and lost five first-round draft picks, while owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year. Leonard received a $700,000 fine but was not suspended.

"I think everyone in the room understands that one of the fundamental responsibilities of the league is to have a set of rules that everyone agrees to follow, and the league's responsibility is to enforce those rules," Silver explained. "And if it is determined that those rules have been violated, then there will be appropriate consequences."

Ballmer, who initially questioned the NBA's findings, later announced that he accepted the sanctions, had paid the fine, and that the franchise would move forward.

Silver also spoke with Leonard and noted that both agreed to move on, although he did not reveal the content of that conversation. The operation that took the player to the Toronto Raptors, delayed for months due to the investigation, was finally completed on Monday.

"I don't think this is widespread throughout the NBA"

Silver also rejected the idea that the Clippers' case is an example of a widespread practice of salary cap evasion in the NBA.

"I’ve been in the league for decades," he said. "I hear rumors here and there when other things happen around the league. I’ve had many conversations with general managers, team presidents, and owners about the kind of conduct that occurs. We know that at the margins there have been some relaxation of the rules over the years, but nothing of this nature that I know of."

The commissioner also explained that the NBA must find a balance between punishing violations and avoiding causing permanent harm to a franchise and its fans.

"I don’t think we’ve caused any permanent damage to this franchise, but there’s no doubt that this is a setback for the team," he noted.

The future of the Lakers and Portland

Silver was also asked about the situation of the Lakers and assured that Mark Walter had passed the NBA's evaluation process before acquiring the franchise.

"We didn’t find any red flags," said Silver, who added that the issues currently affecting Walter are "allegations" that are being investigated.

Regarding the Portland Trail Blazers, the commissioner was blunt about the possibility of the franchise leaving the city if an agreement to build a new arena is not reached.

"I would see it as a failure if we do not manage to keep the team in Portland," said Silver.

Oregon has already committed $365 million for the project of a new arena, conditional on Portland contributing another $120 million and Multnomah County also providing financial support.

The succession of Cathy Engelbert in the WNBA

Finally, Silver spoke about the future of the WNBA after Cathy Engelbert announced that she would step down from her position as commissioner at the end of the season.

The NBA will hire a specialized firm to assist in the search for her successor. Silver emphasized that Engelbert has had enormous independence in areas such as player relations, collective bargaining negotiations, and potential regulatory changes.

The commissioner also noted the growth experienced by the WNBA during her tenure, with record audiences, salary increases, and expansion of the league.

"I think at least for now the WNBA is the beneficiary of the decades of experience of people in the NBA," Silver explained, also defending that sharing certain administrative structures between the NBA and WNBA allows for cost reduction and increased efficiency.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Adam Silver lo deja claro: NBA Europa el próximo verano