NBA's VP Evan Wasch talks about future of Emirates NBA Cup

Vice President Evan Wasch also spoke about exploring international locations to host the NBA Cup in future.

Evan Wasch, the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Strategy and Analytics, discussed the Emirates NBA Cup’s success and future in a press conference as the tournament nears its end. The NBA Cup, introduced in 2023, has quickly gained traction among players and fans.

Wasch mentioned that the cup was a decade long plan of the league to incorporate excitement early into the league. “The idea for the Cup came from looking at global sports,” Wasch explained. “There are so many examples of teams competing for multiple trophies, and we saw an opportunity to add excitement to the NBA’s regular season.”

This has helped the nine-month long season into three different segments, the first three months focusing on the NBA Cup, the next three to the trade deadline and the final three focus on the Race to Playoffs.

Wasch highlighted the tournament’s unpredictability, noting the diverse mix of teams in this year’s semifinals. “To have Atlanta and Milwaukee alongside rising teams like Houston and Oklahoma City shows the tournament’s ability to create compelling storylines,” he said.

The league was also unsure about how the players will respond to the tournament, “Their engagement created the atmosphere we wanted and drove intense competition. It was incredibly satisfying to see.” said Wasch.

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Wasch also addressed fan experience, mentioning the bold court designs unique to NBA Cup games. “The courts were a tool to differentiate these games,” he said, acknowledging some adjustments made after feedback about overly vibrant colours.

“Las Vegas has been a fantastic host, but we’re open to exploring other locations, including international markets,” Wasch hinted at future changes, including hosting the Final Four internationally. However, he acknowledged logistical challenges, such as travel demands on players.

Cross-league competitions with international teams, while distant, are also on the table. “We’re actively engaging with FIBA and other stakeholders. There’s a tremendous opportunity to grow basketball globally through high-level competition,” Wasch stated.

As the NBA Cup grows, Wasch reaffirmed the league’s commitment to innovation. “We’re always looking for ways to improve, whether it’s the Cup, the All-Star Game, or something entirely new,” he said.

The finals will feature former champions Milwaukee Bucks facing the up-and-rising Oklahoma City Thunder on December 18. Bucks, after a shaky start have found some footing slowly entering into the playoff contention as expected. Thunder on the other hand have continued their regular season form the last year.

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