SALT LAKE CITY – Jerry Colangelo is one of the most decorated personalities in NBA history and one of its most influential men.
When USA Basketball was a mess, he became its executive director and created a program that restored national dominance and required players to commit to consecutive summers that many didn’t believe was possible.
He did it.
He was arguably the most important figure in Phoenix Suns history, having served as team owner and chief basketball executive at various stages.
So when he talks about the future of basketball, it would be wise to take note — or at least understand that he’s not just riffing.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame chairman announced the finalists for the hall and stayed on Friday after the likes of Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol took the stage. He was part of the Suns’ expansion group and believes the league is now ready for more teams.
“I personally do. OK, I do,” Colangelo told Yahoo Sports. “And I think you’ve just hit a couple of markets that make the most sense, [Seattle and Las Vegas].”
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo says there is enough talent in the league to support expansion. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Thirty-two teams may seem like a bit much at first, but Colangelo believes the talent can get 30 more jobs. The league grew from 24 teams to 30 during its biggest expansion boom in the late ’80s to mid-’90s.
Minnesota, Orlando, Miami, Toronto, Vancouver and Charlotte were added during this time. Some would say the league suffered from talent dilution, and the Chicago Bulls dominated from the early ’90s when they lacked a high-profile talent mate.
“The stars are advancing,” Colangelo said. “[Mikal] Bridges in Brooklyn, he gets 45 in his [third] Game. That is new [star]. I don’t worry about, ‘Well, how are you going to populate these new teams?’ There’s plenty of talent and more stars on the rise.
“I think basketball is in great shape. I think the game has grown so much. And I can think back. I used to hear things about other players in the league. Well, who’s going to replace Oscar Robertson, who’s going to replace Jerry West? Who will replace Bill Russell? There was another wave of people and another wave and the waves keep coming.
The story goes on
“Look at some of the people today, there are a number of international players who are [Hall] Finalists – Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Gasol, right. It’s amazing that the global growth of the game itself continues to explode. And I think it will continue, do you know why? Because it’s a great game.”
Asked about this, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that given the more pressing need to finalize a new collective bargaining agreement, there had been no direct talks about an extension.
“What I’ve said before, because the topic comes up a lot, I would say that’s mostly people asking me or others in the league, is that at some point it’s natural for an organization to expand,” Silver said. “In this case, because we’re on both a CBA cycle and national media [rights] cycle, our current deals are closed in two and a half years.”
Expansion fees are sent to each team when the league expands, so teams probably wouldn’t mind. And with Mat Ishbia’s recent $4 billion purchase of the Phoenix Suns, the market for franchise markers is poised.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City on February 18, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
It looks like things are coming together, especially with Silver’s note on the CBA and media rights deals.
“Our governors’ view was, let’s find out exactly what the new CBA looks like, let’s find out what our new media deals look like. Then let’s think about expansion,” Silver said.
“So we will do it without exception. There are currently no active discussions in the league office, but we will look into it again in a few years.”
For now, Silver had to call for a vote on approval of Ishbia, which was passed unanimously. And Colangelo was a welcome sounding board for Ishbia in his early days.
“I met with both him and his brother. They are two young guys who are enthusiastic and committed,” Colangelo told Yahoo Sports. “Mat is a basketball guy in the sense that he played at Michigan State. Not much, but he played. And we had the chance to meet in Phoenix, he reached out to me and I told him I’m there to help any way I can.”
On Ishbia’s first day, he pushed for more star power and Kevin Durant was taken on – someone Colangelo has known for almost two decades.
“Well, I’m really happy for Kevin because I think he’s happy to be where he is,” Colangelo said. “I can’t say enough about him. i love this guy I love that. His attitude – he’s a hooper. Yes, he just wants to play basketball. Yes, I’ll tell you about the Phoenix team. Now if you look at Chris Paul, you look at Booker, you look at Durant. There is no high maintenance requirement. These are guys who just want to play. I’m just happy for the whole team.”
And even at the age of 83, Colangelo still finds excitement and new things on the horizon.