NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and the league office continue to try and mediate ongoing battles and debates between new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon and the city of Portland about a new arena deal to keep the franchise long-term.

At his press conference following the NBA's Board of Governors meeting in New York City on Tuesday, Silver spoke about where things stand with the Blazers and their talks with the city, making it clear that seeing this franchise possibly leave Portland as a result of sour negotiations would be a complete failure by the league itself.

“It is my hope and belief that the Portland Trail Blazers can be successful in Portland, Oregon. It is important, at the same time, that Tom Dundon reaches a deal with the city officials and the state-elected officials that makes operating in Portland viable for the long term,” Silver stated. “There are times where it becomes necessary for teams to relocate for various circumstances. I don't want to make that a point of pride for me.

“I would see it as a failure if we didn't keep the team in Portland.”

Negotiations between the Blazers and the city of Portland have been ongoing, yet as time has gone on, the potential threat of relocation from Dundon has grown larger.

Portland obviously wants to keep the Blazers there, and the NBA has relayed the same constant message about not wanting relocation to be an option, yet since taking over as owner of the team, Dundon has not reassured anyone that the Trail Blazers' long-term future is in Oregon.

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In July at NBA Summer League, Silver spoke to reporters about the ongoing negotiations and disputes between the two parties, claiming that he had hoped for more progress to be made and that talks had gone “off track” from where they were near the start of 2026.

On Tuesday, Silver reiterated similar remarks and put his foot down by saying the Portland market is essential for the NBA. Even so, he made sure to also touch on the Blazers' point of view in terms of needing a new arena.

“We need a state-of-the-art arena. I think by any objective measure, the current building there is in the bottom measure of any arena in the league. And I think everyone in the community acknowledges that not just for NBA and WNBA basketball, but for all multi-uses of these arenas, that the community needs the same thing. These are centerpieces of not just mid-sized cities like Portland, but increasingly even some small arenas in communities throughout America. It's my hope that we can lower the temperature a bit in these negotiations.

“But as I said, we've had a great track record in Portland, and there is no doubt in my mind that it would be a failure in my mind if we were unable to accomplish a result that makes Portland basketball, NBA and WNBA, viable for the long term.”

At this stage, there is no telling what the future holds for the Blazers and the city of Portland, with Dundon continuing to push back against the demands of the community.