Well, I don't think ESPN is writing this kind of article without permission from the NBA.
The question is what does the NBA hope to achieve with this? Does this mean they actually think Sarver can be made to sell, or is this just to shame him into getting an experienced GM to run things?
ESPN has written many pieces bashing dysfunctional sports franchises, this is nothing new. The Suns are the target of the day. Sarver has been in charge long enough now that claiming it's an isolated incident and not a sign of continual mismanagement is why they're going full on with it. I don't think there is anything in it for them other than ad revenue and clicks. They don't need permission from the NBA to post an article that their reporter sourced appropriately. They used to regularly rip Isiah Thomas' Knicks, whatever team hired Billy King, and Dan Gilbert running the Cavs. This really isn't new ground for them and I seriously doubt there is a hidden agenda.