Adam Silver hopes LeBron James decides soon, ‘so we can finish the schedule’

Just like the rest of us, NBA commissioner Adam Silver is waiting on LeBron James.

Silver revealed as much during the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan Summit on Thursday. He also revealed that, yes, James’ decision will impact when games are played and who’s on TV.

‘Where LeBron plays will affect the schedule,” Silver said, lightheartedly. “So I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule, because, as you might imagine, the teams are calling us, the networks are calling us, and everybody wants to lock in the schedule. 

“But it will influence how we set the schedule, how we set opening week, Christmas Day, etc. So I need him to make a decision.”

Silver added that he is just as much in the dark on LeBron’s next stop as everyone else.

“The direct answer is, I have no inside information,” Silver said.

James had an opportunity to end the speculation in an appearance at Fanatics Fest on Thursday, when he recorded the latest episode of his Mind The Game podcast.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton hosted and asked. James playfully avoided answering.

Perhaps the best storyline to come out of the day was when Silver admitted that he has a preference.

“Yes. There’s certain stories that I prefer over others, and even on his behalf,” Silver said. “But he’s going to be 42 this fall. It’s amazing what he’s done for the sport, for the league, and he deserves exactly what — the opportunities that were presented to him, to be able to make his own decision on what’s best for him and his family.

“But, as I said, I think on behalf of the league, I think there are certain storylines that may be better than others, but I don’t want to prejudge it. Let’s see what he does.”

Yes, let’s see. The teams are wondering. The fans are wondering. The players are wondering. And clearly, so are the commissioner, networks, and NBA schedule-maker, too.

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