Picture this: The NBA is trying to spice up its preseason with an exciting new twist—the NBA Cup—but fans aren't exactly flocking to the arena in droves. As the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic kicked off the first of two Emirates NBA Cup semifinal games on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, you couldn't help but notice the plenty of empty seats, especially up in the higher sections. It's a stark contrast to the league's ambitious plans, and it's got everyone talking about what the future holds for this in-season tournament.
But here's where it gets interesting: The NBA Cup, now in its third year, has actually hit one of its main goals set by commissioner Adam Silver. It's brought extra attention to the NBA right at the start of the season, when college football and the NFL usually steal the spotlight. Players are on board too—mostly because there's over $500,000 up for grabs for each player on the winning team, which is a huge incentive.
What hasn't quite taken off, though, is the vibe during the tournament's championship round. That's why the league announced in September that 2025 will be the last year for neutral-site semifinals (that's when games are played in a location not associated with either team, like Las Vegas here). It's clear they realized this setup hasn't generated the buzz and excitement they were hoping for.
And this is the part most people miss: The NBA might be considering another big shift. According to sources close to the situation who spoke with ESPN, the league is thinking about relocating the championship game away from Las Vegas altogether. Imagine how that could change things—would it draw more local fans and create a better atmosphere?
Beyond the venue debates, there's been a lot of chatter leading up to Tuesday night's final between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. From the allure of big cash prizes and ongoing gripes about the packed schedule, to how the knockout rounds are highlighting the league's rising stars, here's what players and coaches are sharing about this year's NBA Cup edition.
The move to home-court semifinals: A breath of fresh air
If the venue switch for the Cup's semifinals had rolled out this season, those games would have been hosted in Orlando and Oklahoma City—since the Magic and Thunder were the top seeds in their respective conferences at the time. Both teams ended up losing in Vegas on Saturday, but their coaches, Jamahl Mosley of the Magic and Mark Daigneault of the Thunder, were all for the change.
"Oh, absolutely," Mosley said with a grin before Saturday's matchup, when asked about playing at home. "Who wouldn't jump at the chance for home-court advantage? It's like the playoffs—you earn that higher seed by performing well, and that's crucial."
Think about it: These same pairings could pop up in the 2026 playoffs. Orlando and New York have had some intense, rivalry-building clashes in recent years, with plenty of heated moments. On the other side, the Thunder and Spurs have playoff history from 2012, 2014, and 2016. Plus, young superstars like Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren have been going head-to-head since their days at the FIBA U-19 championship over four years ago—talk about a budding feud!
Just imagine Wembanyama, back from a 12-game absence due to a calf injury, stepping into a packed, electric arena in Oklahoma City as the Thunder chased an extension of their incredible season start. Or picture the Magic getting an extra home game against the Knicks, a team they might face again in the Eastern Conference playoffs. It adds real stakes and excitement!
"It's a smart move from the league, and it gives teams even more reason to push hard," Daigneault explained. "The cash rewards already boost it, plus the branding and TV exposure—it really isolates these nights as special events. But getting a potential extra home game? That's a game-changer for sure."
Cash prizes: The ultimate game-changer
Over the past few days, conversations have revolved around the hefty $500,000 payout for each player on the victorious squad—and how they'd spend it. As an example, Thunder forward Jalen Williams mentioned on Friday (just before OKC's nail-biting semifinal loss to the Spurs) that teammate Jaylin Williams keeps reminding everyone about that exact figure daily.
"Half a million bucks is serious money, no matter your salary level," Williams said. "It's enough to get anyone fired up and playing their heart out."
After the Spurs secured their spot in the knockout phase by defeating the Denver Nuggets, forward Keldon Johnson joked, "For $500,000, I'd play three games in a row back-to-back. I'd charge through a brick wall!"
One key motivator for players is the chance to share this life-altering sum with teammates on two-way contracts—those are short-term deals where players split time between the NBA and the G League—or young players at the bottom of the roster. It's not just about the stars; it's about lifting up the whole team.
"We don't always talk openly about how valuable it is for those two-way guys," Mavericks guard D'Angelo Russell noted. "A lot of players who didn't necessarily need it personally were still motivated, knowing those teammates get a bigger slice of the pie."
This sentiment has echoed in recent years. Two years back, LeBron James and Anthony Davis spoke happily about boosting end-of-roster players' earnings. Last season, Damian Lillard expressed similar joy. Suns forward Ryan Dunn added, "Many in the league don't earn what the top stars do. This opportunity is massive for them." And as Dunn put it simply, "You want to win for those guys."
The schedule blues: Still a thorn in the side
This month, multiple team officials voiced complaints about the tightly packed schedule as the league crammed in Cup games early on. But here's the controversial twist: The numbers don't really support the outcry.
By Sunday night's games, 354 matches had been played this season—that's four fewer than the same point last year, and just two more than two seasons ago, before the tournament was added. Sure, there are still clusters of five games in seven days like before, and they'll be fewer overall than in 2024-25. Yet, with teams enjoying longer breaks during the knockout rounds, those missed days pile up and get crammed into the regular season later.
The real headache? Extra travel, especially for those Vegas trips. Last year, after losing the Cup final, Oklahoma City faced back-to-back road games against Orlando and Miami. Recently, Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers discussed how winning the 2024 Cup drained his team.
"The spotlight it's brought has been fantastic," Rivers admitted. "But on the flip side, the winning team really struggles afterward. I saw that firsthand last year—it's tough."
This season, if the Magic had topped the Knicks, they'd have embarked on a grueling 16-day road trip, starting with a four-game western swing kicking off Thursday against Denver.
"Move it to New York," Knicks coach Mike Brown suggested with a laugh. "I'd love that—let someone else handle that six-hour flight. Vegas is fun, but spreading it out makes sense. Honestly, I was skeptical about the Cup and play-in games at first, but they've worked out great. So, I'll defer to Adam Silver—he knows best."
But wait, is this schedule really that bad, or is it just part of the NBA's push for innovation? Some argue it's worth the grind for the extra excitement.
The Cup: A launchpad for young talent
Last season, the Thunder were just ramping up their championship run when they hit Vegas for the semifinals. Even though they stumbled in the final against the Bucks, guard Jalen Williams said it was invaluable prep for the bright lights of the NBA Finals.
"Sticking around for media sessions hours after practice—it's just like the Finals or playoffs," Williams reflected on Friday. "It taught us to manage our time, get treatments, and stick to routines. We practiced handling the pressure."
The biggest perk? Giving emerging teams a chance to shine on a national stage. Two years ago, the Indiana Pacers shocked everyone by beating the Boston Celtics and Bucks on their way to the championship game against the Lakers. Star guard Tyrese Haliburton exploded into the spotlight, and that experience fueled Indiana's epic Game 7 run in the 2025 Finals.
Even the Houston Rockets, who lost to the Thunder in last year's semis, were a young squad that tasted big-game intensity before their seven-game playoff battle with the Golden State Warriors.
For teams like Orlando (no playoff series win since 2010) and San Antonio (no playoffs since 2019), the Cup offers a taste of high-stakes, single-elimination pressure.
"Playing on this grand stage is an incredible opportunity," Magic standout Paolo Banchero said. "You can feel the buzz everywhere."
For the young Spurs and coach Mitch Johnson, reaching the title game is their toughest challenge yet.
"Experience often brings wisdom in life and work," Johnson observed. "We're taking it one day at a time, embracing the unknowns for our group. It's a positive force without overthinking it."
ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, and Michael C. Wright contributed to this report.
What do you think about the NBA Cup's future? Is moving away from Las Vegas a smart idea, or should they stick with it for the 'neutral' appeal? Do the cash prizes outweigh the scheduling hassles, or are they just not enough to justify the changes? And here's a controversial take: Maybe the league should scrap in-season tournaments altogether to focus on the regular season and playoffs—what's your stance? Share your opinions and debate in the comments below!
