Adam Silver admitted to reaching out to Jerry Colangelo on behalf of the owners of the Philadelphia 76ers in December. Colangelo was ultimately hired as chairman of the 76ers, which led to Bryan Colangelo becoming general manager in April after Sam Hinkie stepped down.

ESPN reports that interviews with more than a dozen GMs, other executives and agents suggests that Silver's "involvement in that regime change may have been greater than he let on.

"Some sources claim Philly's ownership group had grown impatient with Hinkie's lack of a clear timetable to be competitive and had been worn down by constant criticism. Others suggest Silver pressured the 76ers into making a change.

"The league has never hidden its distaste for tanking, and sources around the NBA say Silver grew more irritated after the Sixers lost their first 18 games last fall and (Jahlil) Okafor was involved in multiple off-court incidents. Ultimately, those sources say, it is likely that a combination of all those factors led to Jerry Colangelo's hiring."

According to sources, Silver was "scared" by the "glorification of the Process." Silver attempted to reform the lottery as a deterrent for teams to tank as the 76ers did under Hinkie.