Adam Silver reveals advice he’s given to Zion Williamson

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver holds a news conference before Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

TORONTO — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he has already offered presumed No. 1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson advice on enjoying the process of entering the league.

Silver, who appears on the latest episode of PodcastOne Sports Now with AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds, also says he sees no reason to intervene with the drama that has surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers in recent weeks. He says he’s monitoring matters, but adds that it’s his understanding that owner Jeanie Buss and former team president Magic Johnson have simply decided they’re better off as friends and not business partners.

Williamson is likely to go No. 1 overall to New Orleans. David Griffin has taken over as the executive in charge of the basketball operation for the Pelicans, and Silver says his sense is that “Griff is the right guy at the right time” for that franchise — one that may have to decide whether to trade star center Anthony Davis in the coming weeks or months.

Silver also discusses the FIBA World Cup that will be held in China this summer, the fascination with free agency and the excitement level in Toronto for the NBA Finals between the Raptors and the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Also on the program: Raptors coach Nick Nurse talks about Canada’s excitement level, Warriors coach Steve Kerr tells how he missed a game-winner once in Toronto’s baseball stadium, and Reynolds and fellow AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney realize they have no idea how to properly pronounce the name of the city that has played host to Games 1 and 2 of the title series.