SAN FRANCISCO — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver oversaw a record-breaking trade deadline, marking the most active period in league history with 63 players changing teams in just one week. Among these, the trade involving standout player Luka Dončić could significantly alter the future of two major franchises for the next decade.

Overall, Silver supports this level of activity. The buzz surrounding trades and speculations inevitably draws more eyes to the NBA.

However, the exchange of 25-year-old superstar Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers sparked considerable unrest among Mavericks fans, especially following the team’s recent Finals appearance. Likewise, the trade of Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors was marked by months of tension, culminating in the aging star being suspended multiple times for his attempts to push through a trade.

The situation became even more complex with a rare incident of a rescinded trade, wherein the Lakers initially acquired young center Mark Williams only to send him back after he failed a physical.

During his annual press conference ahead of All-Star weekend, Silver expressed understanding of the Mavericks’ decision-making process while also addressing the new collective bargaining agreement, which some had mistakenly believed would dampen trade activities. He noted that the rescinded Williams deal “caught our attention” at NBA headquarters.

“When it comes to the fan reaction, I totally understand the frustration,” Silver remarked regarding the shocking deal that sent Dončić to the Lakers in return for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis. “I sympathize with the Mavericks organization as well… history will ultimately decide if this was a wise move, but they acted with the best interests of their team in mind. I see no reason to suspect any ulterior motives behind the trade. The Dumont-Adelson family acquired this team to maintain its presence in Dallas.”

Silver admitted to having no prior knowledge of the Dončić trade and followed the developments like any dedicated fan. According to Mavericks officials, Dončić’s transfer stemmed from concerns regarding a potential $345 million contract extension and a perceived mismatch between him and the desired team culture which emphasizes strong defense. Mavs president Nico Harrison and coach Jason Kidd emphasized these points during discussions.

The trade has angered Mavericks supporters to the extent that some have canceled their season ticket packages, called for Harrison’s dismissal, and even accused the new ownership of seeking to relocate the team from Dallas.

“It’s challenging to understand their perspective,” Silver reflected on the Mavericks’ ownership. “They hold a specific philosophy about what is necessary to achieve championship status, and I’m not in a position to challenge that.”

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Although the Dončić-Davis exchange was a central focus, it wasn’t the only significant trade. Butler’s move to Golden State followed a protracted and messy situation with the Miami Heat, exacerbated by the team’s inability to meet his expectations for a max-salary extension amidst concerns over a stringent luxury tax.

When asked about potential influences of the new collective bargaining agreement on such trade scenarios, Silver affirmed his satisfaction with the overall movement within the league during this trade period, including Butler’s situation.

“No, I’m not worried that the new CBA will affect player mobility negatively,” Silver stated. “In fact, the agreement is meant to encourage teams to confront tough choices. Organizations are still adapting to what the new second apron entails and its implications.”

“The intent of the CBA was to promote equality across the league and better distribute star players among the 30 teams. We’re already witnessing some of that in action.”

Silver pointed out that the past six seasons have seen six different champions, showcasing a healthy competitive landscape. “Look at this current season, where teams like Oklahoma City and Cleveland are performing exceptionally well going into All-Star weekend, and it’s noteworthy that they are from smaller markets,” he added.

“Just a few months ago, people were doubting whether we would see significant trades at the deadline again, yet we just experienced the most player movement in NBA history.”

Once the Lakers acquired Dončić — receiving widespread acclaim from fans and analysts alike — they faced backlash after canceling a proposed deal for Williams. This trade would have involved sending rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Hornets.

Despite Williams’ checkered health history over his initial seasons in the league, the Lakers’ abrupt decision raised questions about whether the league should revise its trading protocols. Silver confirmed that the Hornets have not yet submitted a formal protest regarding the situation.

“This is definitely something we should evaluate,” Silver acknowledged. “Such issues don’t arise frequently, but we are paying close attention. We want to minimize uncertainties in trade transactions wherever possible.”

Silver also addressed several other topics:

No Curry-Ionescu rematch: As reported by The Athletic, Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu will not face off again in the 3-point contest, despite their connections to the Bay Area and a successful previous matchup in Indianapolis.

“Given how magical last year’s competition was, it began to feel forced to arrange a rematch,” Silver commented.

The Timberwolves’ ownership situation: Although Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez recently won their arbitration case to buy the Timberwolves from majority owner Glenn Taylor, Silver mentioned that Taylor still retains the option to appeal the decision.

Silver confidently stated, “If the sale goes through, I have no reason to believe there will be any issues with the board of governors approving it. They have already been vetted and approved as minority owners.”

The state of the game: Amidst discussions about declining TV ratings and potential modifications to the game to boost viewer interest, Silver expressed his satisfaction with the current state of the NBA.

“The state of the game is in excellent condition,” he remarked. “Media and fans are entitled to their critiques, which I find constructive.”

Silver has been vocal about the ongoing discourse around the league’s shooting dynamics and even suggested that the league might one day reconsider the length of its quarters to 10 minutes, aligning more closely with global standards set by FIBA.

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(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)