NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the future of NBA officiating could soon include artificial intelligence and automated replay systems designed to improve accuracy and reduce controversy around calls.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, Silver addressed ongoing conversations surrounding flopping in the NBA, referee performance, and the league’s plans to modernize officiating with advanced replay technology similar to tennis’ Hawk-Eye system.
Adam Silver Addresses NBA Flopping Debate
Flopping has become one of the most debated issues among NBA fans, players, and analysts. While the league has attempted to crack down on exaggerated reactions and deceptive falls, Silver acknowledged that determining what qualifies as a true flop is still complicated.
“There’s a difference between selling the call, exaggeration, and a true flop,” Silver explained during the interview.
According to Silver, many players are coached to “sell” contact in order to draw attention from referees, but he emphasized that officials are often able to recognize when players are embellishing contact without actually being fooled.
Silver also defended NBA officials, praising the overall quality of officiating despite the criticism referees frequently receive during high-pressure games.
“Can officiating get better? Of course. But the officiating is incredible.”
NBA Exploring AI Replay Technology
One of the biggest takeaways from Silver’s interview was his discussion about the NBA’s future use of AI-assisted replay technology.
Silver revealed that the league is moving toward a system that could automate objective calls such as out-of-bounds plays and line violations. He compared the potential technology to Hawk-Eye, the widely used replay system in professional tennis.
The proposed system would use cameras positioned around NBA courts to instantly determine whether a ball touched the line or went out of bounds.
Silver believes this technology could eliminate lengthy replay reviews and reduce the need for coaches’ challenges on straightforward calls.
“We’re going to move to a system like that, where that whole category of calls will be automatic.”
The NBA commissioner added that these calls would be made instantly through AI and automated camera tracking systems, allowing games to continue without interruptions.
How Technology Could Help NBA Referees
Silver noted that removing objective calls from referees’ responsibilities would allow officials to focus more closely on subjective decisions such as fouls and physical contact.
He explained that foul calls are far more difficult because contact occurs on nearly every possession, and referees must determine whether that contact truly affects the player or the play.
Unlike out-of-bounds decisions, those situations often require human judgment rather than simple camera analysis.
Silver believes AI technology can assist officials without fully replacing them on the court.
NBA Officiating Changes Could Arrive Soon
The NBA has continued to experiment with replay reviews, coach’s challenges, and rule changes in recent seasons as the league looks for ways to improve game flow and officiating consistency.
Silver’s comments suggest the league could soon introduce a major technological shift that changes how games are officiated in the future.
As conversations around flopping, replay reviews, and referee accountability continue, AI-powered officiating could become one of the biggest innovations in modern basketball.