NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants Hawks in Atlanta after sale

NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants the Hawks to stay put, and he's confident any new owner would keep them in Atlanta.

''I do want to see the Hawks stay in Atlanta, and we've made that clear to the market," he said Wednesday.

Silver said the current owners, who put the team up for sale this month, are also intent on keeping the franchise in the city.

''I don't think it will be a real issue," he said, "because I would be shocked if they were to sell to a group whose intention it was to even seek to transfer the team out of Atlanta.''

Silver was speaking to reporters at the NBA's London offices ahead of Thursday's game between the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks at the O2 Arena.