Silver on Magic fine: 'Stop talking about players on other teams'

NBA commissioner Adam Silver made his message for league executives clear: Don't talk about opposing players.

Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson was fined $50,000 for speaking highly about Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo after saying he believes the Greek Freak will bring Milwaukee a championship one day.

The Lakers were also fined $500,000 for tampering in the summer after Johnson spoke on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" about wanting Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George to join the franchise when he becomes a free agent.

Silver says enough is enough.

"Context is everything, and there had been a prior issue with the Lakers early this season," Silver told ESPN's Rachel Nichols on "The Jump" on Thursday. "And the message is - not just to Magic but to all the executives in the league is - stop talking about players on other teams."

Silver discussed the importance of understanding the effects of discussing athletes, especially for prominent figures like Johnson. He mentioned there isn't a need for Johnson's commentary considering the wide variety already supplied to the public.

"We'd love to hear players like Magic Johnson talk about how great young players are in the league," Silver said. "But there's enough commentary out there. And I think, when on balance, just asking them to refrain from that one aspect of talking about other players, isn't that big a deal."