In a recent board of governors meeting held in Las Vegas, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver defended the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) rules, citing their impact on team building and creating a level playing field for all franchises. The rules, set to kick in during the 2023 season, aim to impose team-building restrictions on franchises that exceed the luxury tax threshold, known as the "second apron."

Silver addressed concerns that the new rules might hinder trades, stating that while they make trades more challenging, they do not make good trades impossible. He emphasized the importance of putting all 30 teams in a position to better compete and expressed his belief that the league is on its way to achieving that goal.

While some critics argue that the new rules have led to a boring offseason, Silver disputed this notion, highlighting the significant player movement during free agency. He mentioned that despite the restrictions, there were still meaningful transfers of critically important players between teams.

The commissioner also acknowledged the changes brought about by successive CBAs, stating that they have contributed to the league becoming more competitive over time. He dismissed the idea that the league was trying to prevent teams from going on dynastic runs, expressing his support for both established dynasties and new teams emerging each year.

During the meeting, Silver touched upon various topics, including the announcement of the Boston Celtics' potential sale by team governor Wyc Grousbeck. Silver praised Grousbeck as a model owner and acknowledged his contributions to the league over the past two decades.

Regarding media rights, Silver confirmed that the league is nearing a new media rights deal but mentioned that other details with potential partners still need to be worked out. While he did not provide specific information, Silver noted the importance of making NBA games more accessible through streaming platforms, both domestically and globally.

Silver also addressed Knicks owner James Dolan's complaints about aspects of the new media rights deal. He stated that the league prefers to handle such issues internally and declined to comment further on the matter.

The commissioner chose not to comment on the ongoing lawsuit between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors, which a New York court has asked the league to arbitrate.

Looking ahead, Silver mentioned that expansion discussions would be more seriously considered in the fall, after finalizing the new media rights deal. He noted the complexities involved, especially in terms of dilution of revenues and talent.

Overall, Silver's remarks during the board of governors meeting provided insights into the league's plans to promote fair competition, address media rights, handle internal matters, and potentially explore expansion opportunities in the future.