Before Saturday’s All-Star events, Adam Silver shared insights with the media, touching on several key topics.

Luka Doncic Trade Insights: “I was taken aback when I learned about the trade involving Luka Doncic. It caught me off guard, as I wasn’t aware that he was on the trading block. As a fan, I followed the developments closely. … I understand the concerns among fans; it’s completely natural to feel that way.

“Regardless of how this trade will be evaluated in the future, the Mavericks acted in what they believed was the best interest of their franchise. I can assure you there were no hidden agendas involved. The Dumont and Adelson families acquired this team with the intention of keeping it in Dallas, and I fully believe in their commitment to the long-term success of the organization.”

Critique of 3-Point Shooting: “In a recent interview, I heard Steve Kerr’s perspective on the prevalence of 3-point shots in the league. As one of the best sharpshooters in history, I was curious about his take. He said, ‘Do I believe there’s an excess of 3-point shooting? Perhaps. Do I think the game is thriving? Absolutely. Is there a solution to reduce the number of 3-pointers? Nothing comes to mind.’ …

“We pay significant attention to the shooting trends at the league level and through the Competition Committee. We’re particularly focused on where those 3-point attempts are being taken. They are not replacing points from inside the paint; approximately 50% of points still come from that area. Instead, we are witnessing a shift from 2-point shots to 3-pointers—a trend that often requires a high skill level. …

“In summary, our focus remains on this issue. While I see areas for potential improvement, I’m pleased with the overall state of the game at the moment.”

TV Ratings Overview: “It’s becoming increasingly about media engagement rather than just TV ratings. Currently, our ratings are slightly down compared to last season, having experienced some slowdowns early in the year. However, we’ve made a recovery, and ratings are on the rise, which is very encouraging. Notably, this is in comparison to last year when we recorded the highest ratings in four seasons. What started as a concerning trend has shifted positively.

“It’s important to mention that we analyze more than just traditional viewership metrics. We focus heavily on engagement, which can be gauged in various ways. For instance, last season, we recorded the highest attendance numbers in league history. Additionally, we see significant engagement through social media across numerous platforms. From this perspective, our popularity is at record levels.

“As screen time continues to grow, there’s limited time available in people’s daily lives. If individuals are engaged on X, Facebook, Instagram, or Reels, that’s time they might not be spending watching TV. Therefore, our goal is to connect with fans through all available channels. Engagement is vital for us as well. …

“I believe this multifaceted approach will enhance our chances of attracting younger fans to live games, particularly if they become engaged with our various content offerings—whether related to our players’ off-court activities, their music tastes, fashion, or game highlights. The challenge remains: how do we transform those viewers into attendees at live games? I think it involves more strategic content creation.”

Regarding Jimmy Butler’s Trade Drama: “I don’t foresee an increase in trade drama emerging from the new CBA. In fact, the purpose of this agreement is to compel teams to navigate some tough decisions. Clubs are still adapting to the implications of the new second apron rules. However, it’s clear that the CBA was aimed at fostering parity across the league and improving the distribution of talent among the 30 teams. We’ve already started to see some of that shift.

“Moreover, while predicting the effects of new CBAs can be tricky, it’s only been a few months since many thought the excitement surrounding the trade deadline had dwindled. Yet, this year, we witnessed a record number of player trades leading up to the deadline—the most in league history.”

On the Situation with Mark Williams’ Rescinded Trade: “As for Charlotte, they have not submitted any formal protests regarding the trade.”