NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated that the league could introduce a new 'smart ball' for games as early as 2027, which could significantly change how officials make calls on the court.

In an interview with CNBC's Contessa Brewer, Silver discussed the collaboration with Wilson, the official basketball manufacturer, to create a ball equipped with a small microchip Bluetooth sensor that tracks movement, spin, and trajectory changes.

"We're experimenting with putting a small chip in the ball that weighs roughly a gram," Silver noted.

The technology has been tested in the NBA's G League, Summer League, and some preseason games, where players used both standard balls and those with the chip. Silver mentioned that players reported positive experiences, stating, "Nobody could tell the difference. So that's a good sign."

The chip's weight is just one gram, compared to the standard basketball's weight of about 620 grams or 1.4 pounds. The league aims to ensure that even seasoned players do not notice any difference in the ball's feel or bounce.

One immediate use for this technology could be in officiating, as Silver explained that it could assist referees in determining if a player touched the ball before it went out of bounds by detecting minor changes in spin. It could also help ascertain if a shot's trajectory has been altered.

"I think you could see as soon as next year us using it for officiating in our games," Silver said.

In addition to officiating, Silver sees a significant opportunity to provide this technology to consumers, enabling basketball players of all ages to analyze their shooting mechanics. For instance, data from the chip could help players understand which shooting angles and ball rotations lead to successful baskets.

"You'll then see the graph, and you'll see for which the angle of the shots that went in, they're more likely to go in," Silver explained.

While the officiating application may be ready next year, Silver mentioned that a consumer version might take longer to develop, stating, "I think the consumers version [of the smart ball] is a few years away, but it's a really exciting opportunity."

The league is also looking into wearable technology for players during games, but discussions with the National Basketball Players Association have not yet resulted in an agreement.

Silver noted that officials tested wrist wearables in selected preseason and summer league games this year in a successful pilot program, but this technology will not be used during the regular season. The wearables allowed referees to communicate with the replay center regarding reviews, scoring changes, and clock issues.

Silver acknowledged that while players often use wearable devices off the court to track various metrics, there are concerns regarding how data collected during games might be utilized by teams.

"I think we have to come to some agreement on exactly how the information is used. But it seems everybody wants that information," he said.

The primary concern revolves around whether such data could influence contract negotiations. Silver stated, "If you could see a player was slowing down or something like that, they're worried that that could get used in bargaining, and I get that."

He recognized these concerns and emphasized the need for the league to reach an understanding with the players' union on data usage.

Despite these issues, Silver suggested that allowing wearables during games is a logical progression, as athletes increasingly depend on technology to track their performance. "I think the players are in a position right now where they're essentially wearing wearables 22 hours a day, and the only time they're not wearing them is when they're playing in the game," he said. "So that can't make sense."

"We'll work something out with them," he added.