SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to facing some of the NBA’s biggest issues, Commissioner Adam Silver seemed to be focusing only on the silver linings.
On the problem of superstar availability and the nebulous designation of “load management”? “I don’t think the issue is quite what some suggest,” Silver said.
What about superstars requesting trades while under contract, like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant pushing their way out of Brooklyn? Silver parsed words, saying he was really only opposed to players making “public” demands to be traded.
The regional sports networks that many believe are poised for bankruptcy? In the short term and long term, Silver said, “I’m not all that concerned.”
There was no big-picture problem that couldn’t be side-stepped as Silver addressed the media in his annual news conference ahead of All-Star Saturday night at Vivint Arena. Entering his 10th season as commissioner, Silver downplayed key issues facing the league, and even went back on some of his own stronger stances from the past.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing issue of the last few weeks was the dissolution of the Brooklyn Nets, which saw Irving push for a trade after failing to come to terms on a contract extension (getting dealt to Dallas), then Durant maneuver his way to Phoenix behind the scenes after Irving left.
Silver has previously expressed disapproval of public trade demands by superstars under contract. But speaking with reporters on Saturday, Durant said he didn’t think those moves were bad for the league – the opposite, actually.
“It brings plenty more eyes to the league,” Durant said. “People are more excited. The tweets that we got, the news hits that we got from me being traded, Kyrie being traded – it just brings more attention to the league. And that’s really what makes you money is when you get more attention. So I think it’s great for the league to be honest.”
While Silver acknowledged that public trade demands…
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