It’s not Kevin Durant’s fault that the system worked out well for him, and he shouldn’t have to sign with the Kings just to keep the NBA’s competitive balance at a premium.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that the formation of “superteams” — like the one the Warriors just formed after signing Durant were no good for the league.
“I don’t think it’s good for the league,” Silver told reporters at a Las Vegas news conference that covered a variety of topics including Charlotte’s status as hosts of next season’s All-Star weekend, and changes to intentional fouling calls.
“In the case of Kevin Durant I absolutely respect his decision, once he becomes a free agent, to make a choice that’s available to him,” Silver said. “Having said that, I do think to maintain those principles … in terms of creating a league in which every team has the opportunity to compete, I do think we need to re-examine some of the elements of our system.”
Silver is clearly challenging the players union, when he should put the onus on cheap or unqualified owners as well.
We can expect smaller market owners to push for a hard salary cap — but you’re not going to force the big-time NBA stars to sign with Memphis, New Orelans, Utah or Charlotte because it feels and sounds good.
The Spurs are one of the smallest markets in the league and do an amazing job, so why can’t the Kings?
“It requires two parties to make those changes,” Silver said.
“I think it’s critically important that fans in every market have that belief that if their team is well-managed they can compete,” Silver added, partly alluding to Durant’s former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. “My sense is some of the player movement we just saw isn’t necessarily a function of market size. It’s clearly, in the case of one particular player, a desire to be in a situation with a group of players who have already proven they can win.”
The NBA and the Players Association each can opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement after the 2016-17 season.