NBA keen to add teams, but not now: Silver

Commissioner Adam Silver has offered hope to cities looking to land a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise, saying on June 5 that the league "should be exploring" expansion.

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Commissioner Adam Silver has offered hope to cities looking to land a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise, saying on June 5 that the league "should be exploring" expansion. He addressed the media in his annual talk ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and hosts Oklahoma City Thunder.

Regarding the addition of teams, Silver said: "I don't think it's automatic, because it depends on your perspective on the future of the league.

"As I've said before, expansion in a way is selling equity in the league. 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 - I think markets that deserve to have NBA teams. Probably even if we were to expand, more than we can serve."

In terms of potential expansion locations, he added: "There's been no lack of interest. I essentially have said to people from several different cities, 'We're just not engaging in that process right now'.