NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talks possible league expansion in Las Vegas, pressure on Victor Wembanyama

LAS VEGAS – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wanted to make one thing clear about possible league expansion.

The league is not currently considering that topic.

“We are not engaged in that process now,” said Silver at the Associated Press Sports Editors conference Monday at the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

“We’re not taking meetings right now with any potential groups. What we’re saying to everyone privately is the same thing that I’m saying publicly, that there will be a very open process at the time we’re ready to consider expansion, but that’s not yet now.”

However, Las Vegas is a city that certainly is on the league’s radar, as is Seattle, which was home of the SuperSonics from 1967 to 2008 before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City.

“Will look at this market,” Silver said. “There is enormous interest in Seattle. That’s not a secret. There are other markets that have indicated interest.”

The NBA currently has 30 teams. With there being NFL, WNBA and NHL teams in Vegas, having an NBA in the city certainly is a thought that could very well become reality.

“What I’ve said previously over the last several years is we need to get a new (Collective Bargaining Agreement) done and we need to get our media deals done,” Silver said.

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association announced last month the signing of the new seven-year CBA that'll run through the 2029-30 season.

The league has nine-year extensions with ESPN and Turner Sports that run through the 2024-25 season, but Silver said the NBA has “exclusive negotiation periods” with the two networks beginning next spring.

“We will turn to expansion once those new media deals are done,” Silver said. “It’s not a sure thing, but as I’ve said before, I think it’s natural that organizations grow over time. There’s no doubt there is enormous interest in this market (in Vegas).”

Silver thinks of the NBA Summer League in Vegas as the “31^st franchise” in the league largely due to the number of games played in the city over the course of nearly two weeks.

“We have almost 80 games here, we really occupy the field for the first two weeks in July in this town,” Silver said. “It’s become bigger every year. There’s an enormous interest in it. I feel like we have a huge footprint here.”

The NBA announced Saturday at Mandalay Bay the new In-Season Tournament will play the semifinals Dec. 7 and championship game Dec. 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.

“The appetite for not just sports, but entertainment, in this city seems to be insatiable,” Silver said. “I mean, I watched it develop for a long time. It’s certainly beyond anything I would have expected when I started coming here 30 years ago for trade shows. I think they’ve done a fantastic job.”

Wembanyama draw big attention

Silver also talked about Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs, who has been the biggest story in Vegas.

The top overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, who is widely considered the best prospect in the history of the league, has played two summer league games before near sellout crowds at Thomas & Mack Center.

“There’s so much pressure on Victor right now,” Silver said. “I was happy for him to see him have a great outing his second time out although I didn’t think his first outing was as bad as some people suggested.”

Wembanyama had just nine points on 2-of-13 shooting (1-of-6 from 3), eight rebounds, five blocks, four fouls, three assists and three turnovers Friday night in 27 minutes and 27 seconds in his debut.

San Antonio topped Charlotte, 76-68, but Wembanyama seemed a step slow and fell to the floor several times after losing his footing in the game. This was his first game with the Spurs summer league team as their squad played two games in the California Summer League Classic without him.

“I didn’t really know what I was doing on the court, but I’m trying to learn from it for the next games and the importance to be ready for the season,” said Wembanyama after Friday’s game.

Wembanyama also admitted feeling fatigued throughout Friday’s game. The summer league games have four 10-minute quarters while a regular NBA game is 48 minutes split into four 12-minute quarters.

“I think there is a lot of conditioning to do to be able to play an 82-game season,” he said Friday, when asked what does he need to work on going into the NBA regular season.

“We run a lot. It’s really exhausting. Even though it was only 40 minutes, when I was subbed out, I was always tired and exhausted. I think there is a lot of conditioning to do.”

The 7-foot-4 generational talent bounced back with a much-better performance Sunday, posting 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting (2-of-4 from 3), 12 rebounds, three blocks, three turnovers and just one foul in 26 minutes and 57 seconds against the Trail Blazers.

“It’s just me getting comfortable with myself and my body on the court,” he said. “Before today, I had like two practices and one game. It was just getting going.”

Portland topped the Spurs, 85-80, but the 19-year-old phenom from France showed flashes of why there has been so much hype about him.

“Personally, it’s normal to get better every game,” he said. “Two days ago was my first game. I had like so much stuff going on with the draft and stuff, so it just makes sense.”

Wembanyama later expanded on everything he was doing outside of basketball as it related to his play. He was part of the NBA announcing the In-Season Tournament.

“I think basketball wasn’t even 50 percent of my schedule,” he said Sunday. “It’s a special moment in my life, but I’m glad it’s over, honestly. I just want to hoop. I just want to work out, lift. Every first pick has to go through this, but it just makes me better for the future.”

Silver expressed confidence in Wembanyama’s ability to play. Having spent time with him in Paris when the Bulls played the Knicks there in January and in New York during last month’s NBA Draft, Silver talked with Wenbanyama during the Rookie Transition Program this week in Vegas.

“He’s an engaging young man, asking questions to me and others as part of the program,” he said. “I’m not sure it would even matter what else I say that could put more pressure on him 'cause there’s already so much pressure on him and attention, but it seems as if initially, he’s well equipped to handle it. We’ll see at the end of the day.”

Wembanyama reportedly isn’t expected to play the reminder of Spurs summer league games.

The NBA regular season typically starts in October.

“There’s been lots of hype around other players over the years that the expectations weren’t met, so we shall see,” Silver said. “Let’s see how he ultimately performs not necessarily in the summer league, but when it comes down to NBA basketball.”

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Adam Silver talks possible NBA expansion in Vegas, pressure on Victor Wembanyama