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The All-Star festivities are upon us and the NBA Trade Deadline is firmly in the rearview mirror. Even with those to factors in mind, the shadow cast by Anthony Davis’ trade request looms over the entire league. During his trip to Charlotte, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared his views on player-driven trade demands.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin recorded Silver’s explanation of how he wished trade demands would be handled.
“I would just say, blanketedly, no, I don’t like trade demands, and I wish they didn’t come, and I wish all those matters were handled behind closed doors,” Silver said Saturday at his annual news conference at All-Star Weekend.
Silver went on to explain that communication between both the players and the teams need to improve.
“Of course, teams also blindside players, too, and trade them,” he said. “I think the issue ultimately is that, whether it be a team or a player not meeting a contractual obligation, I mean, that’s something I think you just don’t want to see as a league, even if it’s a one-year contract or a five-year contract, that’s a commitment the player makes, and that’s a commitment the organization makes to that player with a guaranteed contract. I recognize, and I think it’s perfectly appropriate, that conversations take place behind closed doors, where players or their agents are saying to management, ‘It’s my intention to move on,’ for whatever reasons.”
The uptick in uneasiness between players and owners can be traced back to unintended consequences of the current CBA (collective bargaining agreement). New Orleans will be able to offer Davis a lucrative extension this summer as a result of the newest CBA, which facilitated the Pelicans star to start his campaign for a trade.
The current CBA went into effect in July of 2017. The current deal between the players and owners runs through the 2023-24 season, but either side can opt out of the contract at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. If current trends continue, a long list of issues will likely to be addressed at those meetings. From tampering to tweaking the super-max extension, both sides will have plenty on their plate when negotiations begin.