During his press conference before the start of The Finals, Adam Silver was asked by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe about the NBA's hiring practices for coaches of color now that the league is currently down to just four Black coaches. Silver was asked if the NBA should enact a Rooney Rule, or if teams should be able to hire who they want.

"The answer is ultimately yes to should the teams be able to hire who they want," said Silver. "I don’t see a way to operate a league where the league office, the Commissioner is dictating to a team who they should or shouldn’t hire or who she should or shouldn’t fire, frankly. That’s the other side of the coin.

"Having said that, I know we can do better. We have six openings right now. We’re in discussions with all of those teams about making sure there’s a diverse slate of candidates.

"You know, we’ve looked at what might be an equivalent to a Rooney type rule in the NBA, and I’m not sure it makes sense. I’m open-minded if there are other ways to address it.

"There is a certain natural ebb and flow to the hiring and firing, frankly, of coaches, but the number is too low right now. And again, I think we should — let’s talk again after we fill these six positions and see where we are, because I know we can do better, and I think we will do better."

Nate McMillan, Alvin Gentry and Doc Rivers lost their jobs this offseason. Rivers and Ty Lue are considered strong candidates for current vacancies.