NBA Commissioner Silver Plans European Teams in 2027–28 Playoffs

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has revealed plans for potentially integrating European basketball teams into the NBA playoffs as early as 2027 or 2028, representing a major shift in the league's structure. Silver envisions a European league operating alongside the NBA, with top European teams competing against NBA franchises during the postseason, facilitated by advances in air travel that would make transatlantic trips manageable. This proposal could include up to 14 teams based in Europe, with cities like London and Paris expected to host franchises, and discussions involving NBA, FIBA, and European stakeholders are already underway. Beyond Europe, Silver also mentioned the possibility of teams from the Basketball Africa League joining midseason tournaments or playoffs, underscoring the NBA's global expansion ambitions. While logistical challenges such as player travel and arena infrastructure remain, Silver is confident in the feasibility of these plans and sees this international venture as a higher priority than domestic expansion. The NBA's current playoff format, unchanged since 1984, could thus see its most radical overhaul in decades, potentially creating unprecedented global competition and new storylines for basketball fans worldwide.