Adam Silver not in favor of players demanding trades publicly; Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving defend trade requests

Adam Silver addressed the intention of NBA superstars to demand trades publicly during the official press conference of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

The Commissioner of the league is not in favor of such actions, calling them ‘corrosive to the system’. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were the latest superstar duo to demand trade, with the former joining the Phoenix Suns and the latter moving to the Dallas Mavericks.

“I think that’s a bad thing,” Adam Silver said during the press conference. “I think it’s corrosive to the system. Certainly fans don’t like it.

“Even lots of players don’t like it as well because, ultimately, they may be [signing with] a particular team under a belief that that player is still going to be there.

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“So strongly against anything said publicly. I agree that a certain amount of player movement is good, but I think it has to be done in partnership and honoring those agreements that players and teams enter into.”

On the other hand, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving shared their respective thoughts on the matter and defended trade requests from the players.

“I don’t think it’s bad for the league,” Kevin Durant said while speaking to the media in Salt Lake City. “It’s bringing more eyes to the league. More people are excited.

“The news hits that we got from me being traded, Kyrie being traded, it just brings more attention to the league. So, I think it’s great for the league, to be honest.”

“Why doesn’t anyone have the ability to ask for trades?” Kyrie Irving asked. “When did it become terrible to make great business decisions for yourself, your happiness and peace of mind?

“Not every employer you’re going to get along with. So, if you have the chance to go somewhere else and you’re doing it legally, I don’t think there’s a problem with it.”

Durant’s and Irving’s trades changed the landscape in the West, with the Suns and the Mavs re-emerging as top title contenders. Phoenix is fifth in the West standings with a 32-28 record, while Dallas is sixth, at 31-29.

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