Being a millionaire NBA star isn’t as easy as some might perceive. Sure, they get paid for what they love, but there are always these tight rope players and staff walking on. For instance, fines, a lot of fines. Adam Silver’s league has created a strict code of conduct, but often it feels over the top, at least according to the social media communities. Say something out of line – fine. Do something remotely offensive – fine. Skip media availability – fine. Or maybe not. Because so far Jason Kidd has remained unscathed after ditching the Mavs vs Kings post-game press conference.

In an unprecedented event, coach Kidd left the media hanging after the 129-128 loss. But Adam Silver doesn’t have that option. During the All-Star weekend, the commissioner will be attending the yearly press conference. One certain point of conversation will be the aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade, which is still engulfing Dallas.

Mark Stein confirmed that and wrote in his substack, “Adam Silver will be doing interviews all week amid All-Star hoopla … including his annual All-Star press conference. Surely Silver will be asked to address the rising discontent of a wounded and angry fan base in Dallas.”

Adam Silver has already cleared his stance over the controversial trade. In an interview with Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, Silver shared his sympathy for Luka Doncic. “I’m sympathetic to Luka, to the extent he didn’t want to be traded,” he said. “But I think we’re all used to a player showing up at a Laker press conference saying, ‘This is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.'”

More questions will be thrown at Silver during the Bay Area grandeur on the weekend, and we can expect him to dodge them with his graceful diplomacy as well. But he will be put in an unescapable spot if Jason Kidd’s fine doesn’t materialize.

Jason Kidd could force Adam Silver to make a tough call amid Dallas’ dismay

Following the Mavs’ home loss to the Kings, the shock was universal. Not because of the defeat, but due to Kidd’s reaction. On Tuesday night, fans inside the AAC already voiced their anger, ejecting some for yelling, “fire Nico.” Boos rained down on GM Nico Harrison, and some targeted Kidd for participating in the trade, a move Dallas fans viewed as a major betrayal.

In such cases, the governing body imposes a minimum fine of $25,000. The figure could rise given the subject’s history of prior similar conduct. In 2023, the NBA fined Dillon Brooks $25,000 for skipping media availability. A similar fine was levied against Jimmy Butler during last season’s playoffs. They spared Devin Booker the fine, even though he did the same. According to the league source, they first issue a warning for such conduct before levying a fine for the repeated offense. And that’s one explanation for Kidd not receiving any penalty at the time of writing.

Given the turbulence in Dallas, Adam Silver will probably change that procedure to go the extra mile to fine Jason Kidd. Besides, the All-Star break will provide a perfect opportunity to restore and restart. The only problem is, fans often possess a strong memory when it comes to their favorites.