Amid the Covid pandemic, the NBA made a drastic move for the playoffs: play-ins. In 2020, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies had a one-game showdown to clinch a playoff spot, which Portland would win. For 2021, it got expanded to a play-in tournament, featuring the seven-through-ten seeds of each conference. And now, it seems, this format is here to stay.

On Friday, the NBA and NBPA agreed to continuing the play-in tournament for the 2021-22 NBA season. Final approval will come from the NBA's board of governors, but it's nearly a done deal for the tournament to remain.

Adam Silver recently spoke on ABC's NBA Countdown Show prior to Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The commissioner was completely behind the play-in tournament, hoping to bring even more change to the league.

I personally have a big appetite [for innovation] . . .  I hope it's a new element of our game. We hope to go forward with that.

With such backing, it would not be a surprise if this tournament became a permanent fixture in the NBA. With the success of the play-ins, Silver had even floated the idea of mid-season tournaments.

All of this is not to say it was a complete success though. After all, the games had drawn some controversy from the league's biggest voices. From LeBron James to Mark Cuban to Luka Doncic, many had voiced concerns over the play-in tournament, and whether or not it was necessary at all. While it did help bring in more viewership, many would argue the strain of a shortened season was only heightened by additional games.

Regardless of their stances, the play-in tournament will be a part of the NBA for at least next season. Whether or not it extends past then is unclear, but for Adam Silver, change is always on the horizon.