NBA Notes: Adam Silver, Expansion, Chris Paul, Sixers, Dennis Smith Jr

June 6, 2025

NBA Expansion

NBA commissioner Adam Silver made it clear Thursday that adding new teams isn’t guaranteed anytime soon. Speaking at his annual pre-Finals news conference, Silver told reporters he doesn’t see expansion as “automatic,” even though the league’s new collective bargaining agreement and media deals are locked in.

Silver said the Board of Governors will likely direct his office this summer to “continue to explore” expansion. That could mean meetings with prospective ownership groups. But he also acknowledged some owners worry about bringing in new partners who would cut into league revenues.

“It depends on your perspective on the future of the league,” Silver said. “Expansion in a way is selling equity in the league, and if you believe in the league, you don’t necessarily want to add partners. On the other hand, we recognize there are underserved markets in the United States and elsewhere, markets that deserve to have NBA teams — probably even if we were to expand, more than we can serve.”

Seattle fans have long hoped for the SuperSonics’ return since the franchise left for Oklahoma City in 2008. Las Vegas also remains a rumored front-runner for the next expansion team.

Meanwhile, Silver has been focusing on launching an NBA European league, which he framed as a different kind of expansion.

The bottom line: Don’t count on an NBA expansion announcement anytime soon, but the league is still exploring its options.

Spurs

Chris Paul made it clear Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show that family will be the biggest factor in how much longer he plays and where he signs next.

“It’s with my family more than anything,” the 40-year-old guard said. “My son just turned 16. My daughter is 12. The past six seasons, I’ve lived without them. I go to San Antonio, Phoenix, Golden State — they were in Houston with me — Oklahoma City… I’ve been around a few teams, but I’ve been away from them the last six years. It’s a little different. That’s the conversation.”

Paul, who signed a one-year deal with the Spurs last summer, helped mentor Victor Wembanyama and the young San Antonio core. He showed he can still produce, playing all 82 games and averaging 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists on efficient shooting (.427/.377/.924).

But a Spurs return seems unlikely. San Antonio traded for De’Aaron Fox in February and looks set to draft Dylan Harper at No. 2. Paul will attract interest from contenders seeking a savvy floor leader.

His family lives in Los Angeles, making a Clippers reunion a logical option. Paul spent six years in L.A., earning five All-NBA nods and turning the Clippers into one of the NBA’s most exciting teams. The Lakers, where longtime friend LeBron James plays, could also be a landing spot.

“I still love to play,” Paul said. “I was up in the gym at 6 a.m. this morning. Yesterday, I was in the gym. Day before, I was in the gym… My daughter actually hoops now, so before I flew out here, I was in the gym with her for 20 minutes. That time is priceless.”

Paul also praised projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, saying, “He’s as real as advertised.”

76ers

Dennis SmithJr. is participating in the 76ers’ two-day veterans minicamp this week, sources told Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 27-year-old guard is looking to return to the NBA after missing last season. Smith signed a G League deal in December but never played after landing with the Wisconsin Herd. In January, he headed to Europe, signing with Real Madrid, where he appeared in just two games before leaving after about a month.

Smith reportedly wasn’t in peak condition when he arrived in Spain and is now hoping offseason tryouts can get him back on an NBA roster.

Selected ninth overall by Dallas in 2017, Smith’s career has taken him to six NBA teams in seven seasons. After Dallas, he was traded to the New York Knicks, then moved on to Detroit, Portland, Charlotte, and Brooklyn.

An explosive athlete with flashes of brilliance early on, Smith’s shooting struggles prevented him from breaking out as a star. Over 326 NBA games, he’s averaged 9.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, with career shooting splits of .407/.298/.674.

Other vets at the Sixers’ minicamp include Eugene Omoruyi, Malcolm Hill, Adama Sanogo, Alondes Williams, Malik Williams, Armando Bacot, Javonte Cooke, Judah Mintz, and Leaky Black, Pompey reported.