Adam Silver: No Short-term Expansion, but Seattle 'Has Hope for an NBA Team'

Adam Silver spoke today at an event for CEO's in Boston and took a few questions, including some from sports law expert Michael McCann, who tweeted the following:

I was given a chance to ask Adam Silver a question. I made it about Seattle. He said NBA expansion is not a short term (3 year) priority.

— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) March 12, 2014

I then asked Silver how NBA can keep fans in Seattle w/o a team there. He acknowledged it will be a challenge but stressed that its an (1/2)

— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) March 12, 2014

2/2 Silver said Seattle is a great market for NBA with loyal fans. He said Seattle has hope for an NBA team and should have that hope. — Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) March 12, 2014

So, what does that mean for us? Are we looking at possible expansion in 2017 or are they not officially even discussing it until 2017? That year is three years from now and is also the approximate time that the Milwaukee situation could finally be resolved. Or did Silver actually say three years?

Sonics Rising contributor Steve Stearns sees things differently. "I'm reading three years as a qualifier that McCann put in there, not as anything that Silver actually told him," said Stearns. "Talk is cheap. Silver guaranteed nothing and as expected slammed the door shut on expansion, which was never realistic to begin with."

I honestly don't know what to make of Silver's remarks. Do you? Discuss.