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The Luka Doncic trade continues to generate buzz throughout the basketball community, and it was among the first subjects that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about during his press conference for the All-Star game.
“I have no awareness or indication of any ulterior motives,” Silver stated as he sought to clarify the situation in Dallas and dispel rumors regarding the Mavericks potentially relocating to Las Vegas: “I am completely confident that the Dumont and Adelson families acquired the team with the intention of keeping it in Dallas. I am entirely convinced of their dedication to the franchise’s long-term success.”
Regarding the trade itself, Silver expressed his surprise: “I was caught off guard when I learned about the trade. I had no idea that Luka was a player who might be on the trading block. It came as a surprise to me, and I followed it as a fan would.”
Silver also urged Mavericks supporters to trust their management: “To the fans in Dallas, I can only reiterate that time will reveal whether this was a wise trade. However, I believe they should have faith in their organization. The franchise made a decision that they felt was in their best interest, and while that doesn’t guarantee it was the right or wrong choice, it’s challenging to fully understand their perspective. They are the ones managing the situation and hold a philosophical view on what it takes to win championships, and I’m not in a position to critique that.”
Silver confirmed that following Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez’s successful arbitration ruling against Glen Taylor in their efforts to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week, the transaction is anticipated to receive league approval.
He also remarked that a second shootout between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu seemed “forced,” which is why there was no repeat of last year’s event, adding that he feels positively about the current state of the game: “I believe the state of the game is exceptional. It’s entirely suitable for the media and fans to critique it, and I find that feedback very valuable. I’m not among those who avoid criticism; rather, I strive to absorb all of it, and we take it into consideration at the league office.”
There was no inquiry or mention regarding the NBA’s prospective expansion into Europe.
