NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the league is moving forward with plans to launch NBA Europe, revealing a 16-team structure that will include 12 permanent franchises and four open slots available to any European club through a modified promotion and relegation format.

"The structure is in place," Silver said. "So what we are planning to launch is, essentially, a 16-team league, 12 permanent franchises, and then the ability for, frankly, any club in Europe to play in in those remaining slots. So a modified open league or modified closed league, depending on how you want to look at it."

Silver said prospective franchise groups include both existing European clubs and newly formed organizations looking to establish teams in cities without top-level basketball currently.

"Some are existing franchises that play in Europe, and then there's groups that are coming together and want to launch teams in cities that don't have top-level basketball right now," he said.

The league's relationship with the Euroleague, European club basketball's premier existing competition, remains a work in progress. Silver indicated the NBA prefers to find a path toward integration but is prepared to proceed independently if necessary.

"In terms of the Euroleague, discussions are ongoing with them. It's our hope that we can find a way to integrate these operations with the Euroleague, but we will move forward either way," Silver said.