NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has defended his decision to allow Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey to continue playing despite an ongoing investigation into allegations of an improper relationship with an underage girl.

"We have an allegation, then you have a police investigation, and then you have a league investigation," Silver said in a recent interview with ESPN. "In this case, the police investigation is ongoing, and we are taking a back seat."

The allegations against Giddey surfaced last month, and the police in Newport Beach, California, where the incident allegedly occurred, have opened an investigation. The girl at the center of the allegations and her family have refused to cooperate with police, and they have hired high-profile attorney Gloria Allred.

Silver explained that the NBA typically takes a cautious approach when dealing with allegations of misconduct, especially when there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

"If you look back, I can't think of many circumstances where we've suspended a player based on an allegation alone," he said. "We want to make sure that we have all the facts before we take any action."

The decision to allow Giddey to continue playing has been met with criticism from some fans and pundits, who believe that the NBA should have taken a more proactive stance. However, Silver defended the league's position, emphasizing the importance of due process.

"We have a responsibility to protect the rights of all involved, including the player," he said. "We also have a responsibility to ensure that the investigation is conducted fairly and impartially. I believe that we are doing both of those things in this case."

The investigation into Giddey is ongoing, and there is no timetable for when it will be completed. In the meantime, the NBA will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Impact on Giddey's Contract Negotiations

The allegations against Giddey have also raised questions about his future contract negotiations. The 21-year-old is eligible for a mega extension worth as much as $300 million at the end of the season. However, the ongoing investigation and his slow start to the season could complicate those negotiations.

"It's a critical juncture in his career," said one NBA insider. "The investigation is obviously a major distraction, and his performance on the court hasn't been what it was expected to be. I think it's fair to say that the contract talks are going to be much more difficult than they would have been otherwise."

Only time will tell how the allegations against Giddey will ultimately affect his career. However, it is clear that the situation has created a great deal of uncertainty for both the player and the league.