After a trade deadline as rich in emotions as in transfers, Adam Silver spoke about the case of certain players – not to target them, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in particular – having requested a transfer to leave their team. According to the NBA boss, these questions are not a good thing for the league.
Time for change? In any case, Adam Silver wants to initiate a reflection on transfer requests and how they work. In the crosshairs of the Commish’, the players who do not respect their commitments with the franchises, and who sometimes fuck them in the sauce in terms of sports project. The perfect example? Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, who left the Nets ten days ago. Perhaps the most striking case, however, is that of Ben Simmons. The guy had refused to play for the Sixers until a transfer was in the air.
For Silver, it certainly paints a dirty picture of the league, where the players seem to be the main decision-makers. A balance of power that the boss wants to change, in particular by finding a way to force them to respect their contracts with the franchises. While adding that overall, the transfer system in the NBA remains healthy and balanced. Do not lower his product either, as the other would say.
“In the week leading up to the trade deadline, something like 12% of players changed teams. And that’s something we wanted because we shortened the contracts. We recognize the ability of teams to rebuild, it’s not only on the initiative of the players now but of the teams, to change direction, and that’s pretty healthy in our league.
Again, the whole idea is to find the right balance regarding player movement. Transfer requests are a bad thing. We don’t want that to happen, so the goal is to focus on that and make sure everyone sticks to their commitments” – Adam Silver
The objective is rather noble and ambitious, but it seems rather complicated to try to put limits on players regarding transfer requests. Perhaps by trying to add clauses to the contract of the latter? Why not, but let’s not forget that a transfer request does not usually come from a whim but from causes that can be heard and justified by the boy but also his frankness.
How do we do then? Referring to the NBA as soon as a contentious situation arises is an option, but not necessarily a solution either. Adam Silver’s team will do without playing police more than necessary. As the league director points out, the time is still for reflection. Perhaps the franchises will initiate measures on their own to help regulate the situation. Wait and see !
Source : Sports Illustrated