NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed rumors surrounding the Luka Doncic trade veto power, confirming that he did not have the authority to stop the high-profile transaction during the 2024-25 NBA season. Silver clarified his role in the league’s trade approval process while appearing on the Club 520 podcast, emphasizing that the league office’s involvement is procedural rather than veto-based.
When asked by host Jeff Teague about the league’s response when major trades are underway, Silver stated,
“One of the misnomers out there is that I have the power to disapprove a trade. I don’t,” Silver said.
He explained that before any trade becomes public knowledge, both teams involved must contact the league office. Teams’ legal representatives and basketball operations personnel collaborate closely to finalize the contract details, ensuring all technicalities are handled properly.
“Before the trade is known publicly, it gets called into the league office,” he explained. “Both teams have to get on the phone. Lawyers and people in basketball operations literally line up the contract.”
Limited Insight into Trade Details Before Public Announcement
Silver described the Luka Doncic trade as a particularly secretive deal, revealing he learned of the transaction only hours before it became public. Given the magnitude of the player move, few expected the trade to come together so quietly.
“That wasn’t a player move that people were talking about or shows like yours were talking about,” Silver told Teague. “I was surprised, from that standpoint.”
While trades of similar or greater significance may arise during Silver’s tenure, he underlined that the commissioner’s office traditionally does not have the ability to intervene or stop these deals once agreed upon by the teams.
Commissioner Reflects on the NBA All-Star Game Format Improvements
Later in the podcast, Silver shared his candid views on the NBA All-Star Game, acknowledging the event has fallen short of expectations and recognizing the need for change. He admitted the league and players alike feel that the event
“has not put our best foot forward.”
“We have not put our best foot forward,” Silver said. “The players recognize that, we recognize that.”
He further mentioned that the NBA is exploring alternative formats inspired by international competitions, such as the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off. However, Silver also pointed out challenges with adopting a strict USA vs. The World format, noting that only about 30% of NBA players come from outside the United States, which complicates such a divide.
Significance and Outlook for NBA Trades and Events Under Silver’s Leadership
The clarification from Silver dispels misconceptions about the commissioner’s power concerning major player trades like Luka Doncic’s. This transparency underscores that while the league office coordinates and vets trade contracts, the final decisions rest with the teams themselves. Silver’s reflections on the All-Star Game format also reveal an ongoing willingness to evolve the league’s showcase events to better engage players and fans.
As the 2024-25 season unfolds, the NBA and its leadership continue to navigate complex transactions and event formats, balancing tradition with innovation under Silver’s guidance.