Washington Governor talks Sonics, NBA’s Adam Silver, and the Millionaires Tax

SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said he plans to emphasize the state’s willingness to help bring the Seattle SuperSonics back to the NBA when he next meets on Monday with Commissioner Adam Silver, while downplaying concerns that a proposed tax on wealthy residents could hurt the effort.

Ferguson said he has not been lobbying other NBA owners ahead of any potential vote to begin an expansion process next week.

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“I’ve not made a case to other NBA owners, just to be clear,” Ferguson said. “What I just would say is we’re working hard to make sure we have lines of communication, obviously, with the commissioner.”

Ferguson said restoring the Sonics is a priority for him and that he has another conversation with Silver scheduled soon.

“It’s a priority for me to do whatever I can as governor to be helpful in bringing back the Sonics,” he said.

Asked what he would tell Silver about the proposed “millionaires tax” and concerns it could complicate a Seattle return, Ferguson dismissed the idea.

“We lost the Sonics to a state that has an income tax, and we did not at the time,” Ferguson said. “Steph Curry pays a lot of money in California, and they have a pretty hefty income tax. So candidly, I just don’t think that’s got anything to do with anything.”

He added that if Silver raises the issue, “of course, we’ll talk about it.”

Ferguson said his upcoming conversation with Silver would largely be about listening and understanding what role the state could play if the NBA moves toward expansion.

“It’ll be a private conversation, but I plan to do a lot of listening,” he said. “If it is to happen, there will be a role for the state in some capacity to be helpful.”

Ferguson also framed his interest in the Sonics’ return as personal, describing himself as a longtime fan still shaped by the franchise’s departure from Seattle in 2008, before rattling off the names of players from the 1978-79 NBA championship team.

“I feel I have a pretty good appreciation for the loss that our community experienced with losing the Sonics,” he said.

Ferguson said he could not recall who initiated the upcoming meeting, but said he and Silver agreed after their last conversation to remain in contact.