NBA Notes: Expansion, Adam Silver, Lakers, Sixers

NBA

There’s been plenty of talk about possible expansion, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver suggested that things are still very much up in the air on that front.

Silver, speaking to reporters following the latest Board of Governors meeting, offered an update.

“There was not a lot of discussion in this meeting about expansion, but only largely not for lack of interest, it was that we had said to them that we’re not quite ready,” Silver said. “I appreciate your pointing out that it’s kind of not quite — it might technically — is it fall yet? Maybe not yet. It’s feeling a little bit chillier in New York, so we’re getting close to fall. But it was something that we told our Board we plan to address this season, and we’re not quite ready yet. But I think there’s certainly interest in the process, and I think that we’re not there yet in terms of having made any specific decisions about markets or even frankly to expand.

“I know I’ve said this before, I think over time organizations should grow. It is appropriate. But it gets a bit complicated in terms of selling equity in the league, what that means for the existing television relationships, etc. What we’ve told interested parties is thank you for your interest, we’ll be back to you. And that’s certainly the case in Seattle, as well.”

Seattle, of course, was home to the SuperSonics for four decades before new ownership moved the franchise moved to Oklahoma City. The Trail Blazers and Clippers are scheduled to play a preseason game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Silver added that the game will help determine if Climate Pledge is NBA-ready.

Lakers

The Lakers intend to wear a No. 44 patch on their uniforms this season in honor of the late Jerry West, who died in June at the age of 86.

West is the inspiration behind the NBA logo and played 14 seasons for the Lakers. He was an All-Star in each of those seasons and averaged 27 points for his career.

“He helped lead the franchise to a title in 1972, and he was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1969 despite the Lakers losing that series,” wrote Ryan Young of Yahoo Sports. “West made it to the Finals nine times as a player, and he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.”

• In case you missed it, Lakers center Christian Wood will miss the start of the season after undergoing a knee procedure. Wood could be out until about Thanksgiving.

76ers

The Sixers enter the season with high expectations after landing forward Paul George and several other veterans, including forward Caleb Martin, guard Eric Gordon and center Andre Drummond.

But it’s about more than just being good on paper. You gotta make it happen on the court. It doesn’t hurt that All-Star center Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey are still around.

So what needs to happen for it to work? Lots of everything, as detailed by Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia.