Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Seattle Mayor ‘Pretty Optimistic’ About Sonics Return Following Conversation With Adam Silver

When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about a possible NBA expansion in recent years, he usually answered the question with ‘this is something the league isn’t really considering at this moment’.

But when asked the same question on opening night, a couple of weeks ago, Silver surprised everyone when he replied to the same question he’s been asked numerous times, by giving a different response:

“I think I’ve always said that it’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point. I’d say it’s caused us to maybe dust off some of the analyses on the economic and competitive impacts of expansion. We’ve been putting a little bit more time into it than we were pre-pandemic.”

While Silver also stated that this wasn’t a top priority at this time, it does give hope to millions of people hoping their hometown might get an NBA franchise at some point in the next few years, most and foremost the people of Seattle.

Ever since the beloved Super Sonics left, the city in the very north-west has been NBA-less, even though it has some of the best and most loyal fans. If we believe a report from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, “Seattle would likely be first in line,” should the NBA choose to expand.

This narrative seems to thicken now, as Jenny Durkan, the mayor of Seattle was left feeling “pretty optimistic” after talking to Silver about the prospects of a return of the Seattle Sonics.

Per King5.com

“I think it was a very positive conversation. I think he has said publicly that Seattle is at the top of the list. Look, if there’s basketball karma, we’ll get the Sonics. If there’s economics involved, we’ll get the Sonics. If there’s just smart, what’s the best city in America, we’ll get the Sonics. So, I’m pretty optimistic.”